Preconcentration and Analysis of Strontium-90 and Technetium-99 from Hanford Groundwater Using Solid Phase Extraction

Solid-phase extraction disks produced by 3M and Eichrom were evaluated for routine use in supporting the Hanford Groundwater Monitoring Project. Both disk formats contain Sr- or Tc-selective extractants, bound in a filter support, that act to preconcentrate and isolate the isotope of interest. The 3M Empore Sr Rad Disks and Tc Rad Disks were tested with respect to precision, accuracy, radiochemical yields, interferences, and volume-load variation. The Empore and Eichrom solid-phase extraction disks were applied to the ⁹⁰Sr and/or ⁹⁹Tc determination in representative Hanford groundwater samples with varying chemical and isotopic compositions. Results were compared to standard analytical methods. Both the Empore and Eichrom Tc extraction disks produced consistently higher radiochemical yields, lower detection limits, and greater accuracy than the standard analysis method. The Empore Sr extraction disks produced comparable radiochemical yields, detection limit, and accuracy relative to the standard method; however, total uncertainties were lower.