ASTM C1000-19

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Designation: C1000 − 11 C1000 − 19
Standard Test Method for
Radiochemical Determination of Uranium Isotopes in Soil by
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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
1.1 This test method covers the determination of alpha-emitting uranium isotopes in soil. This test method describes one
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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. soil. 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, background, and tracer yield. The chemical
yield averaged 78 % in a single laboratory evaluation, and 66 % in an interlaboratory collaborative study.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.5 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. A specific precautionary statement isSpecific precautionary statements are given
in Section 1011.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
C998 Practice for Sampling Surface Soil for Radionuclides
C999 Practice for Soil Sample Preparation for the Determination of Radionuclides
C1163 Practice for Mounting Actinides for Alpha Spectrometry Using Neodymium Fluoride
C1284 Practice for Electrodeposition of the Actinides for Alpha Spectrometry
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D3084 Practice for Alpha-Particle Spectrometry of Water
D3648 Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity
D7282 Practice for Set-up, Calibration, and Quality Control of Instruments Used for Radioactivity Measurements
3. Terminology
3.1 Except as otherwise defined herein, definition of terms are given in Terminology C859.
4. Summary of Test Method
232
4.1 A soil sample with uranium-232to which U tracer is added is heated to destroy organic matter and dissolved with a
mixture of hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid. The uranium is coprecipitated with ferric hydroxide and the precipitate is dissolved
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of Test.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2011Nov. 1, 2019. Published February 2011December 2019. Originally approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 20052011
as C1000 – 05.C1000 – 11. DOI: 10.1520/C1000-11.10.1520/C1000-19.
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Casella, V. A., Bishop, C. T., and Glosby, A. A., “Radiometric Method for the Determination of Uranium in Soil and Air,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA-600/7-80-019, Las Vegas, NV, February 1980; and in Practices D3084 and D3648.
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volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
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C1000 − 19
with hydrochloric acid. Iron is removed by extraction with isopropyl ether, and plutonium, radium, and thorium are separated from
uranium by anion exchange. Uranium is electrodeposited on a stainless steel disk and determined by alpha spectrometry. As an
option, the uran
...