Determination of extremely low (236)U/(238)U isotope ratios in environmental samples by sector-field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry using high-efficiency sample introduction

Journal of Environmental Radioactivity
Sergei F Boulyga, Klaus G Heumann

Abstract

A method by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was developed which allows the measurement of (236)U at concentration ranges down to 3 x 10(-14)g g(-1) and extremely low (236)U/(238)U isotope ratios in soil samples of 10(-7). By using the high-efficiency solution introduction system APEX in connection with a sector-field ICP-MS a sensitivity of more than 5,000 counts fg(-1) uranium was achieved. The use of an aerosol desolvating unit reduced the formation rate of uranium hydride ions UH(+)/U(+) down to a level of 10(-6). An abundance sensitivity of 3 x 10(-7) was observed for (236)U/(238)U isotope ratio measurements at mass resolution 4000. The detection limit for (236)U and the lowest detectable (236)U/(238)U isotope ratio were improved by more than two orders of magnitude compared with corresponding values by alpha spectrometry. Determination of uranium in soil samples collected in the vicinity of Chernobyl nuclear power plant (NPP) resulted in that the (236)U/(238)U isotope ratio is a much more sensitive and accurate marker for environmental contamination by spent uranium in comparison to the (235)U/(238)U isotope ratio. The ICP-MS technique allowed for the first time detection of irradiated uranium in soil...Continue Reading

References

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Citations

Jul 23, 2013·Journal of Environmental Radioactivity·R TortorelloW H Renwick
May 2, 2009·The Science of the Total Environment·A SakaguchiM Yamamoto
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Jan 31, 2007·Journal of Mass Spectrometry : JMS
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Nov 22, 2018·Journal of Environmental Radioactivity·Yang ShaoLingling Ma
Jun 10, 2021·Analytical Chemistry·Huei-Ting LinChuan-Chou Shen

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