Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Design and Construction of an Urban Runoff Research Facility
Published on: August 8, 2014
Rapid method to determine Polonium-210 in urban matrices
Sherrod L Maxwell1, Daniel R McAlister2, Ralf Sudowe3
1Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC, Building 735-B, Aiken, SC, 29808, USA.
Abstract:
A rapid method for the determination of polonium-210 in urban matrices has been developed that can be used following a radiological event. Samples such as concrete, soil and granite are fused with sodium hydroxide to minimize polonium volatility during sample digestion and to achieve complete sample dissolution. Complete dissolution of samples is important to ensure method ruggedness. Polonium is concentrated and separated from the sample matrix using an iron hydroxide precipitation and extraction chromatography and subsequently measured by alpha spectrometry following microprecipitation with bismuth phosphate. The chromatographic separation removes alpha emitting interferences and matrix constituents which can adversely impact the measurement via alpha spectrometry.
Related Concept Videos
Protein-Drug Binding: Determination Methods
Indirect methods involve isolating the bound drug from its free form in biological samples such as blood, serum, or plasma. These techniques aim to measure the percentage of drugs bound to proteins. Equilibrium dialysis is a commonly used method where the free drug concentration at equilibrium is measured by separating the bound...
Dose Size and Dosing Frequency: Determination Methods
Dosage Interval and Administration Route: Determination Methods
Determination of Renal Drug Clearance: Graphical and Midpoint Methods
The graphical method involves plotting the rate of drug excretion in urine against the plasma drug concentration. By analyzing the graph, the clearance can be calculated and obtained. Drugs rapidly excreted by the kidneys exhibit a...
Determining Order of Reaction
Determination

