Simultaneous determination of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb in solid samples: A new method for ²¹⁰Pb determination

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Radiochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Accurate determination of radionuclides like ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb is crucial for environmental monitoring and radiological assessments.
• Existing methods for simultaneous analysis of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb in solid matrices can be complex and time-consuming.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel, efficient method for the simultaneous determination of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb in solid samples.
• To establish reliable analytical procedures for quantifying these key radioisotopes in environmental matrices.

Main Methods:

• Sequential leaching of ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb from solid samples at 250°C using a mixture of HNO₃+HF, HClO₄, and HCl.
• ²¹⁰Po determination via alpha-spectrometry after spontaneous deposition on a silver disc.
• ²¹⁰Pb determination through precipitation as PbCrO₄, anion-exchange purification, and subsequent beta counting as PbSO₄.

Main Results:

• The method demonstrated good agreement with certified reference material (IAEA-327) values.
• Achieved low limits of detection: 0.17 Bq/kg for ²¹⁰Po and 0.92 Bq/kg for ²¹⁰Pb in a 3 µg soil sample.
• Reported high average yields: 95.2 ± 2.6% for ²¹⁰Po and 91.0 ± 8.3% for ²¹⁰Pb across various soil and sediment samples.

Conclusions:

• The developed method provides a robust and accurate approach for simultaneous ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb determination in solid environmental samples.
• The high yields and low detection limits make this method suitable for routine environmental radioactivity monitoring.
• This technique contributes to improved understanding of radionuclide behavior and distribution in the environment.