Radiostrontium separation and measurement in a single step using plastic scintillators plus selective extractants....

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Radiochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Accurate determination of Strontium-90 ((90)Sr) is crucial for environmental monitoring and water safety.
• Existing methods for (90)Sr analysis can be time-consuming, reagent-intensive, and generate hazardous waste.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, streamlined protocol for the determination of (90)Sr in water samples.
• To enhance analytical efficiency by combining chemical separation and sample preparation into a single step.
• To minimize reagent consumption and eliminate mixed waste generation during analysis.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a selective extractant, DtBuCH18C6, for efficient separation of (90)Sr.
• Employed plastic scintillator microspheres for direct sample measurement.
• Integrated chemical separation and measurement preparation into a single-step procedure.

Main Results:

• Achieved a minimum detectable activity of 0.46 Bq L(-1) for 10 mL sample volumes.
• Demonstrated high accuracy with relative errors below 4% for (90)Sr determination.
• Successfully applied the protocol to diverse water matrices including drinking, sea, and river water.

Conclusions:

• The proposed protocol offers a simplified, rapid, and cost-effective approach for (90)Sr analysis.
• The method's ability to reduce effort, time, and reagents makes it suitable for routine water quality monitoring.
• The elimination of mixed waste aligns with green chemistry principles and reduces disposal challenges.