An improved method for low-level222Rn determination in environmental waters by liquid scintillation counting with pulse shape analysis

A method in which²²²Rn is extracted from 0.5 1 water samples to 20 ml toluene is described. 10 ml toluene solution with extracted²²²Rn is directly added to a glass scintillation vial containing 10 ml of liquid naphthalene based scintillation cocktail. Apart from diluting by toluene, the final counting solution still has excellent properties in terms of: / separation by pulse shape analysis, detection efficiency and background in the -region. The detection limit of²²²Rn for 0.5 1 water samples was 1.5 mBq l^–1 (for 12,000 s count time). The concentration of²²²Rn in different environmental samples such as rain, tap and mineral waters as well as deep well waters were determined.     

Untersuchungen zur adsorptiven Anreicherung von Elementspuren an Adsorberharzen

Summary The use of a short column filled with 0.5 g Amberlite XAD resin is characterized for the trace preconcentration from aqueous solutions. For this a suitable algorithm describing the breakthrough curves of columns with a low number of theoretical plates is applied. The influence of the flow rate on the maximal sampling volume is examined. For the sorption of 1,10-phenanthroline the number of theoretical plates of the column with flow rates between 6–80 ml · min^–1 was determined to be 1–20. The results indicate that flow rates of 10–40 ml · min^–1 are generally suitable for quantitative trace preconcentration.

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Teil III: Fresenius Z Anal Chem (1989) 334:514–520     

Multielemental determination in water by neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) technique has been applied to a water sample to determine the elemental concentrations. The sample was irradiated at a neutron flux of 1.2·10¹² n·cm^–2·s^–1 for two different periods followed by counting at three different decay times, using two coaxial type high-resolution Ge(Li) detectors. The dominant elements detected in the water sample are Ca, Cl, Na, Mg, and K present in levels while Co, I, Mn, Sm, and Sb are present in smaller amounts approximately on the average 0.01 ppm. Only traces of other elements such as rare-earth elements, Ag, As, Ba, Cu, Cd, Fe, Sr, W, Zn, seem to be present in the water samples.     

Column separation and preconcentration of copper(II), lead(II) and zinc(II) from seawater

Summary The sample of seawater (51) is freed from solid particles, buffered at pH 5.6 and percolated through a column filled with ED₃A. After sample passage 15 ml 1 M hydrochloric acid solution are pumped through the column to dissolve the concentrated ions. The final measurement using flame atomic absorption is carried out in the hydrochloric acid solution. The total labour time is less than 15 min. The standard deviations (4 analyses) for the determination of Cu, Pb and Zn (in the normal concentration range of 2–6 g · l^–1) were 2–5%, 5% and 1–10%, the recoveries 100%, 102% and 104%, respectively. A concentration coefficient of 300–500 was obtained.On leave from Lisbon University, Portugal     

Heat capacity and transition phenomena of structure I and II trimethylene oxide clathrate hydrates

Heat capacities of structure I and II trimethylene oxide (TMO) clathrate hydrates doped with small amount of potassium hydroxide (x=1.8×10^–4 to water) were measured by an adiabatic calorimeter in the temperature range 11–300 K. In the str. I hydrate (TMO·7.67H₂O), a glass transition and a higher order phase transition were observed at 60 K and 107.9 K, respectively. The glass transition was considered to be due to the freezing of the reorientation of the host water molecules, which occurred around 85 K in the pure sample and was lowered owing to the acceleration effect of KOH. The relaxation time of the water reorientation and its distribution were estimated and compared with those of other clathrate hydrates. The phase transition was due to the orientational ordering of the guest TMO molecules accommodated in the cages formed by water molecules. The transition was of the higher order and the transition entropy was 1.88 J·K^–1(TMO-mol)^–1, which indicated that at least 75% of orientational disorder was remaining in the low temperature phase. In the str. II hydrates (TMO·17H₂O), only one first-order phase transition appeared at 34.5 K. This transition was considered to be related to the orientational ordering of the water molecules as in the case of the KOH-doped acetone and tetrahydrofuran (THF) hydrates. The transition entropy was 2.36 JK^–1(H₂O-mol)^–1, which is similar to those observed in the acetone and THF hydrates. The relations of the transition temperature and entropy to the guest properties (size and dipole moment) were discussed.Contribution No 57 from the Microcalorimetry Research CenterThe authors would like to express their sincere thanks to the Nissan Science Foundation for their financial support.     

Determination of trace metals in sea waters of the Albanian coast by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence

Preconcentration of trace transition and heavy metal ions by precipitation with APDC has been combined with energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence for environmental sea water analysis. The preconcentration procedure implies adding of 500 g Mo ion and 10 ml of 1% water solution of APDC to a 500 ml water sample at pH 4, filtering off on a Millipore filter and analyzing after drying. Realistic detection limits are at 1 g·l^–1 level and precision varies between 10–25% at about 5 g·l^–1 level, depending on the element. Eleven sea water samples, covering Albanian Adriatic and Ionian coast, are analyzed for trace metal ions.     

The210Pb and137Cs profiles in sediment cores from Bay of Quinte,Lake Ontario

²¹⁰Pb,²²⁶Ra and¹³⁷Cs profiles have been measured for sediment cores from three locations in Bay of Quinte, Lake Ontario, Canada. Compaction of the sediment with depth of burial is taken into account in calculating recent sedimentation rates and age profiles at these locations from the excess²¹⁰Pb profiles. The rates are 1.803+0.592 cm·y^–1 (0.254±0.083 g·cm^–2·y^–1), 0.101±0.017 cm·y^–1 (0.036+0.006 g·cm^–2·y^–1), and 0.795±0.218 cm·y^–1 (0.076±0.021 g·cm^–2·y^–1). The corresponding fluxes of excess²¹⁰Pb to sediment/water interface are determined to be 1.652, 0.253, and 1.123 pCi·cm^–2·y^–1, respectively. The anomalies observed in the radionuclide concentration profiles are attributed to physical mixing. It is postulated that the significantly higher flux of²¹⁰Pb observed at one of the locations is due to inputs from Trent River which joins the Bay near this location.     

Spectrophotometric and first-derivative spectrophotometric determination of cadmium witho-hydroxybenzenediazoaminoazobenzene (HDAA)

The synthesis ofo-hydroxybenzenediazoaminoazobenzene (HDAA) is described. Cadmium forms with HDAA in the presence of Triton X-100 a 13 complex, which gives a maximum absorption at 520nm with an apparent molar absorptivity of 1.97 × 10⁵1 · mol^–1 · cm^–1 in pH 10 borax buffer solution and 1.52 × 10⁵1 · mol^–1 · cm^–1 in ammoniacal medium. In both media, Beer's law is followed in the range of 0 –10 g of cadmium in 25ml of solution and the coefficients of variation do not exceed 1.5%. A derivative method has been employed to determine cadmium in certain waste water samples without separation.     

Diffusion of actinides in glasses containing simulated radioactive wastes

Diffusion coefficients of radionuclides²³⁷Np,²³⁹Pu and²⁴¹Am in simulated alumina phosphate and alumina borosilicate glasses at temperatures lower than their transformation temperature were determined. Actinides are known to be the least mobile elements. In particular, the diffusion coefficients of actinides in alumina phosphate glasses at 673 K are about 10^–18 m²·s^–1, and in alumina borosilicate at 773 K about 10^–19 m²·s^–1. It is shown that crystallization of glasses leads to increasing²³⁷Np diffusion mobility. It is also shown that a rather small quantity of water absorbed by a crystallized alumina phosphate glass in tensifies low-temperature migration of²³⁷Np.     

A gas-jet system for the study of short-lived,light fission products

A selective method for the solvent extraction and spectrophotometric determination of uranium(VI) is described. Uranium can be extracted into chloroform at pH 6.0 with N-m-chlorophenyl-2-theno-hydroxamic acid (N-m-CPTHA) and determined by spectrophotometry using 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN). The molar absorptivity is 1.50·10⁴ 1·mol^–1·cm^–1 at 560 nm. The system obeys Beer's law within the range 0.95–20.00 ppm of uranium. Alternatively, a back-extraction procedure was also developed in which uranium is back-extracted by nitric acid and estimated spectrophotometrically using Arsenazo III. The molar absorptivity is 2.0·10⁴ 1·mol^–1·cm^–1 at 665 nm. The parameters concerning the optimum conditions for the analytical method are discussed. The proposed method is applied precisely for the determination of uranium in rock and sea water samples.     

Orthophosphate determination: A simple spectrophotometric method for the measurement of the orthophosphate-triethylamine-molybdate complex

Summary Triethylamine is a selective precipitant for phosphomolybdic acid which allows separation of orthophosphate from phosphoric acid esters and anhydrides. In this paper a simple method for the estimation of the orthophosphate-triethylamine-rnolybdate complex, based on its ultraviolet absorption spectrum, is described. The precipitate, corresponding to a range of 5–250 nmole of orthophosphate, is dissolved in 3 ml of methanol and the absorbance of the solution measured at 320 nm against water. The molar absorptivity of the complex at this wavelength is 2.09 × 10⁷1·mole^–1·cm^–1.

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Orthophosphat-Bestimmung: Eine einfache spektrophotometrische Methode zur Bestimmung des Orthophosphat-Triäthylamin-Molybdat-Komplexes

Zusammenfassung Triäthylamin ist ein selektives Fällungsreagens für Phosphormolybdänsäure, das die Trennung von Orthophosphat aus Mischungen von Phosphorsäureestern und Anhydriden erlaubt. Eine einfache Methode zur Bestimmung von Orthophosphat-Triäthylamin-Molybdat wurde beschrieben. Sie beruht auf der Messung der Ultraviolett-Absorption des Komplexes. Fünf bis 250 nMol gefälltes Orthophosphat werden in 3 ml Methanol gelöst und die Absorption dieser Lösung gegen Wasser bei 320 nm gemessen. Der molare Extinktionskoeffizient des Komplexes unter diesen Bedingungen ist 2,09·10⁷ 1·Mol^–1·cm^–1.

     

Schnelle coulometrische Mikrobestimmung einzelner Polythionate

Zusammenfassung Das neue Mikrobestimmungsverfahren beruht auf der coulometrischen Titration von S₂O₃ ^2– nach vorheriger Abbaureaktion der Polythionate mit Sulfit bzw. Cyanid. Es werden 10 ml Probelösung (S₄O₆ ^2–: 5 · 10^–5 bis 1 · 10^–3 M; S₅O₆ ^2–; 2,5 · 10^–5 bis 1· 10^–3 M; S₆O₆ ^2–: 1,66 · 10^–5 bis 1 · 10^–3 M) benötigt. Die Titrationskurve wird von einem Schreiber registriert. Die Reproduzierbarkeit der jeweiligen Einzelbestimmung liegt bei VK _p±0,1 bis ± 1,6%.

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Rapid coulometric microdetermination of individual polythionates

The method described is based on the coulometric titration of S₂O₃ ^2– after a preceding degradation of the polythionates with sulphite or cyanide. 10 ml of sample solution are required (S₄O₆ ^2–: 5× 10^–5 to 1×10^–3 M; S₅O₆ ^2– : 2.5×10^–5 to 1×10^–3 M; S₆O₆ ^2–: 1.66×10^–5 to 1×10^–3 M). The titration curve is recorded. The reproducibility of a single determination is VK _p±0.1 to ± 1.6%.

     

A gas flow proportional detection system for the determination of boron in aerosol samples and other sample types

This work describes the design, fabrication, and testing of a lucite bodied proportional gas detection system for the analysis of boron in selected samples via detection of the charged particles produced in the 10B(n,)⁷Li reaction induced by thermal neutrons. The detector was designed for internal placement of samples; the sample types of major interest were airborne aerosols collected on filters or particulate impaction plates. Samples were irradiated with the detector in the thermal neutron field produced in the graphite thermal column of the University of Lowell's one megawatt research reactor. Determined sensitivities for boron varied from 6.2·10^–8 to 1.73·10^–6 cpm·ng^–1 (n·cm^–2J·s^–1)^–1 depending on the physical characteristics of the samples. For a nominal counting time of ten minutes the lower limit of mass detection of natural boron was determined to be 12.1 nanograms. The analytical method was applied to the estimation of boron in fourteen samples of natural aerosols collected on membrane filters. Analysis of prepared samples and natural aerosol samples by ICP emission showed good agreement with analysis via the (n,) reaction. Application of the method to other sample types was demonstrated by the determination of boron in samples of borosilicate glass and borated polyethylene.     

Solubility of particulate cadmium sulfide at pH=1–14: A radiotracer study

Cadmium sulfide particles were prepared by precipitation from acid solution. A radiotracer technique with¹⁰⁹Cd was applied to measure the solubility of cadmium sulfide at various pH's. Filtration, centrifugation, ultracentrifugation, and dialysis were used to separate the particles from the solution. Only the last two techniques proved to be successful. The solubility of cadmium sulfide in water (pH=7) is found to be: 7.9·10^–5 mol·l^–1 in contrast with the literature value of 9.0·10^–6 mol·l^–1. At low pH (1–4), the solubility agrees fairly well with the solubility calculated on the basis of generally accepted values for the solubility product and for the various complex formation constants, while at high pH (4–14) the solubility is higher than expected.     

A new reagent for the spectrophotometric determination of magnesium (II): Khimduchlorophosphonazo-I

Summary The colour reaction of magnesium(II) with Khimduchlorophosphonazo-I (KCPA-I) has been studied spectrophotometrically with a view to develop a procedure for the determination of exchangeable magnesium in acidic soils.The optimum acidities are pH 8.78–9.90. The absorption maximum and molar absorptivity of the coloured complex are 580 nm and 1.85 · 10⁴ l · mol^–1 · cm^–1, respectively. The colour intensity is stable for 4 h and is found to obey Beer's law within the concentration range of 0–20 g per 25 ml. The method is simple and reliable (standard deviation 0.8–1.2%). It has been applied to the determination of exchangeable magnesium.

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Neues Reagens für die spektralphotometrische Bestimmung von Magnesium (II): Khimduchlorophosphonazo-I

Zusammenfassung Die Farbreaktion von Magnesium mit Khimduchlorophosphonazo-I wurde im Hinblick auf die Entwicklung eines entsprechenden Analysenverfahrens untersucht. Der optimale pH-Wert liegt im Bereich von 8,78–9,90. Das Absorptionsmaximum liegt bei 580 nm, der molare Extinktionskoeffizient beträgt 1,85 · 10⁴l · mol^–1 · cm^–1. Die Färbung bleibt 4 h lang stabil und befolgt das Beersche Gesetz von 0 bis 20 g/25 ml. Das Verfahren ist einfach und zuverlässig (Standardabweichung 0,8–1,2%) und wurde zur Bestimmung von austauschbarem Magnesium in sauren Böden angewendet.

     

The reactivity of the electron formed in the radiolysis of aerated alkaline aqueous solutions containing tetracycline hydrochloride,at 77 K

The present study deals with the radiolysis of tetracycline hydrochloride dissolved in aerated alkaline aqueous solutions containing 0.1, 0.5 and 1M NaOH, at 77 K, as followed by ESR. The rate constants for the reactions between the electron and physical and chemical traps which are present in these solutions are calculated. These values are k_ph= =9.6·10¹⁵ l·mol^–1·s^–1 and k_ch=1.3·10¹⁰ l·mol^–1·s^–1. The reactivity of electrons that are formed in the radiolysis of water decreases in the following proportions: physical traps: chemical traps: molecules of water: 4.8·10¹⁴: 6.5·10⁸: 1.0. The electrons react preferentially with the solute instead of the solvent.From a thesis submitted by S.M.L.Guedes to the University of São Paulo in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Doctor of Science Degree in Nuclear Technology.     

Determination of rare earth elements in phosphorites by neutron activation analysis

Fourty three phosphorite rocks from Western Iraq were analyzed for eleven REE as well as uranium by NAA using IRT Reactor with a neutron flux of 2.3·10¹³ n·cm^–2·s^–1. The gamma activity from each sample was counted with a Ge(Li) and well-type HPGe, each detector connected to an on-line computer. Uranium fission products and different reaction interferences were assessed and allowed for. The results were also checked against international reference materials.     

Prompt gamma neutron activation analysis of boron with a 241Am-Be neutron source

A prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGAA) setup installed at ANRTC has been used to analyze boron. It consists of a 22.6% REGe detector and a 740 GBq ²⁴¹Am-Be neutron source moderated with water and paraffin. At the sample irradiation position, the thermal neutron fluence rate measured was 2.36·10⁴ n·m^–2· s^–1 and the corresponding Cd-ratio was 22 for gold monitor. The absolute detection efficiency in the range of 120–1500 keV was determined using ¹⁵²Eu standard solution. The sensitivity and detection limit for standard boric acid samples has been determined. The boron content in boric acid prepared from Turkish borate ores is measured to be 15.91±0.46% wt.     

Prompt gamma neutron activation analysis of boron with a 241Am-Be neutron source

A prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGAA) setup installed at ANRTC has been used to analyze boron. It consists of a 22.6% REGe detector and a 740 GBq ²⁴¹Am-Be neutron source moderated with water and paraffin. At the sample irradiation position, the thermal neutron fluence rate measured was 2.36·10⁴ n·m^–2· s^–1 and the corresponding Cd-ratio was 22 for gold monitor. The absolute detection efficiency in the range of 120–1500 keV was determined using ¹⁵²Eu standard solution. The sensitivity and detection limit for standard boric acid samples has been determined. The boron content in boric acid prepared from Turkish borate ores is measured to be 15.91±0.46% wt.     

Spectrophotometric determination of iron after separation of its 9,10-phenanthrenequinone monoximate on microcrystalline naphthalene

A sensitive and selective spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of iron as Fe(II) or Fe(III) using 9,10-phenanthrenequinone monoxime (PQM) as the complexing agent. Fe(II) and Fe(III) react with PQM to form coloured water insoluble complexes which can be adsorbed on microcrystalline naphthalene in the pH ranges 3.7–6.2 and 2.0–8.4, respectively. The solid mass consisting of the metal complex and naphthalene is dissolved in DMF and the metal determined spectrophotometrically by measuring the absorbances Fe(II) at 745 nm and Fe(III) at 425 nm. Beer's law is obeyed over the concentration range 0.5–20.0 g of iron(II) and 20–170.0 g of Fe(III) in 10 ml of DMF solution. The molar absorptivities are 1.333 × 10⁴ 1 · mole^–1 · cm^–1 for Fe(II) and 2.428 × 10³1· mole^–1 · cm^–1 for Fe(III). The precision of determination is better than 1%. The interference of various ions has been studied and the method has been employed for the determination of iron in various standard reference alloys, bears, wines, ferrous gluconate, human hair and environmental samples.