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Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Use of a Filter Cartridge for Filtration of Water Samples and Extraction of Environmental DNA
Published on: November 25, 2016
Optimization of uranium and plutonium separations using TEVA and UTEVA cartridges for MC-ICP-MS analysis of
Shalina C Metzger1, Kayron T Rogers1, Debra A Bostick1
1Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, 37830 Oak Ridge, TN, USA.
Abstract:
The analysis of environmental swipe samples for ultra-trace uranium (U) and plutonium (Pu) determinations is essential in the nuclear safeguards community. While mass spectrometry techniques for U and Pu detection continually improve, established separation methods are seldom reevaluated. Currently, actinide separations within the forensics community predominantly employ either Eichrom TEVA® or UTEVA® resins. The direct optimization of U and Pu separations utilizing both resins has not been widely reported. Here, several methods were explored with goals of increasing analyte recovery, acquiring cleaner blanks, and improving the separation efficiency of ultra-trace levels of U and Pu from environmental swipe samples. The optimized separation methodology of U and Pu was examined using certified reference materials and archived environmental swipe samples.
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