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Updated: Sep 27, 2026

Separation of Uranium and Thorium for 230Th-U Dating of Submarine Hydrothermal Sulfides
Published on: May 20, 2019
Comparison of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and radiochemical techniques for total uranium in
Zenon Pawlak1, Gabriela Rabiega
1Utah Department of Health, State Health Laboratories, 46 Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84113, USA. zpawlak@utah.gov
Abstract:
Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method EPA 200.8 is gradually finding acceptance as an alternative to uranium analysis. A comparison of the ICP-MS with the accepted radiochemical method EPA 908.0 has been carried out based on data from laboratory control standards, national proficiency test samples, and environmental and drinking water samples from the State of Utah. The method detection limit (MDL) for ICP-MS was determined to be 0.017 microg/L or (0.011 pCi/L), and the minimum reporting limit (MRL) was 0.17 microg/L (MDL x 10) or (0.11 pCi/L). The minimum reporting limit for radiochemical 908.0 method is 1 pCi/L. Our spiked matrix recoveries, spiked blank samples, and reference materials deviate only a few percentage from the listed true values. Results demonstrate that the ICP-MS is a superior analytical tool for the determination of uranium in drinking and environmental waters at concentrations required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
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