Accuracy and precision of (PU)-P-238 determination at fg level by alpha spectrometry using (PU)-P-239 and Pu-240 amount analyzed by ICP-MS

作者：Macsik Zsuzsanna; Shinonaga Taeko^*

来源：Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 2010, 68(12): 2147-2152.

DOI：10.1016/j.apradiso.2010.07.006

• (238)pu
• Alpha spectrometry
• ICP-MS
• Safeguards
• CRM 137
• Environmental sample

The accuracy and precision of the determination of Pu-238 amount at the fg (mBq) level by a combination of alpha spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were studied using a standard reference material (CRM 136-Plutonium Isotopic Standard, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D.C.. USA). The activity of Pu-238 was calculated from the amount of Pu-239 and Pu-240 obtained by isotope dilution method and ICP-MS combined with the intensity ratio of Pu-238/Pu-239.240 obtained by alpha spectrometry without adding spike. The results show that approximately 130 fg of Pu-238 can be analyzed within an accuracy of 7% bias and with 5-12% of total uncertainty. The examined analytical procedure was applied to the quantitative analysis of Pu-238 in water samples representing Safeguards inspection samples. The combination of alpha spectrometry and ICP-MS is useful for quantitative and isotopic analysis in low-level Pu samples. Also the method leads to improving the accuracy of Pu-238 determination because efficiency calibration is not necessary for alpha spectrometry.

• 出版日期2010-12