Standard Test Method for Radiochemical Determination of Uranium Isotopes in Soil by Alpha Spectrometry

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method is used to analyze soil for alpha-emitting uranium isotopes. It can be used to establish baseline uranium levels and to monitor depositions from nuclear facilities.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of alpha-emitting uranium isotopes in soil. This test method describes one acceptable approach to the determination of uranium isotopes in soil.
1.2 The test method is designed to analyze 10 g of soil; however, the sample size may be varied to 50 g depending on the activity level. This test method may not be able to completely dissolve all forms of uranium in the soil matrix. Studies have indicated that the use of hydrofluoric acid to dissolve soil has resulted in lower values than results using total dissolution by fusion.
1.3 The lower limit of detection is dependent on count time, sample size, detector efficiency, background, and tracer yield. The chemical recovery averaged 78 % in a single laboratory evaluation, and 66 % in an interlaboratory collaborative study.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. A specific precautionary statement is given in Section 10.

General Information

Status
Historical
Publication Date
31-May-2005
Technical Committee
Drafting Committee
Current Stage
Ref Project

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ASTM C1000-05 - Standard Test Method for Radiochemical Determination of Uranium Isotopes in Soil by Alpha Spectrometry
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Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:C1000–05
Standard Test Method for
Radiochemical Determination of Uranium Isotopes in Soil by
1
Alpha Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1000; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope C999 Practice for Soil Sample Preparation for the Determi-
nation of Radionuclides
1.1 This test method covers the determination of alpha-
C1163 Practice for Mounting Actinides for Alpha Spec-
emitting uranium isotopes in soil. This test method describes
trometry Using Neodymium Fluoride
one acceptable approach to the determination of uranium
2
C1284 Practice for Electrodeposition of the Actinides for
isotopes in soil.
Alpha Spectrometry
1.2 The test method is designed to analyze 10 g of soil;
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
however, the sample size may be varied to 50 g depending on
D3084 Practice for Alpha-Particle Spectrometry of Water
the activity level. This test method may not be able to
D3648 Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity
completely dissolve all forms of uranium in the soil matrix.
Studies have indicated that the use of hydrofluoric acid to
3. Summary of Test Method
dissolve soil has resulted in lower values than results using
3.1 A soil sample with uranium-232 tracer added is heated
total dissolution by fusion.
to destroy organic matter and dissolved with a mixture of
1.3 The lower limit of detection is dependent on count time,
hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid.The uranium is coprecipitated
sample size, detector efficiency, background, and tracer yield.
with ferric hydroxide and the precipitate is dissolved with
The chemical recovery averaged 78 % in a single laboratory
hydrochloricacid.Ironisremovedbyextractionwithisopropyl
evaluation, and 66 % in an interlaboratory collaborative study.
ether, and plutonium, radium, and thorium are separated from
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
uranium by anion exchange. Uranium is electrodeposited on a
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
stainless steel disk and determined by alpha spectrometry. As
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
an option, the uranium may be prepared for alpha spectromet-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
ric measurement by using coprecipitation with neodymium
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. A specific precau-
fluoride.
tionary statement is given in Section 10.
4. Significance and Use
2. Referenced Documents
3 4.1 This test method is used to analyze soil for alpha-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
emitting uranium isotopes. It can be used to establish baseline
C998 Practice for Sampling Surface Soil for Radionuclides
uranium levels and to monitor depositions from nuclear facili-
ties.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear
Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of
5. Interferences
Test.
5.1 Protactinium-231 may not be completely separated by
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2005.PublishedJuly2005.Originallyapproved
in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as C1000 – 00. DOI: 10.1520/ the procedure and could interfere with the determination of
C1000-05.
uranium-233 or uranium-234 because it has the following
2
Casella, V. A., Bishop, C. T., and Glosby, A. A., “Radiometric Method for the
alpha energies in MeV: 5.06, 5.03, 5.01, 4.95 and 4.73 (see
Determination of Uranium in Soil andAir,” U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency,
AppendixX1).Ifneptuniumispresentinthesampleintheplus
EPA-600/7-80-019, Las Vegas, NV, February 1980; and in Practices D3084 and
D3648.
four oxidation state, it will co-elute with the uranium.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5.2 Since uranium-232 is added as a tracer, it can not be
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
determined in soil. Uranium-232 is rarely present in soil
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. samples. If present in significant quantities relative to the
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

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C1000–05
5
activity of uranium-232 tracer added, uranium-232 will lead to 7.7 Anion Exchange Resin —Type 1 anion exchange resin,
an overestimation of the chemical yield and a low bias in 8% cross-linked, 100-200 mesh, chloride form. Prepare a resin
uranium results. slurry by soaking the resin in 8M HCl
...

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