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Updated: Jul 11, 2025
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Speciation and Bioavailability Measurements of Environmental Plutonium Using Diffusion in Thin Films
Published on: November 9, 2015
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A sensitive method to determine 210Po and 210Pb in environmental samples by alpha spectrometry using CuS
Stephanie Walsh1, Matthew J Bond2, Nicolas Guérin2
1Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Chalk River Laboratories, Chalk River, ON, K0J 1J0, Canada. Stephanie.Walsh@cnl.ca.
Scientific Reports
|November 13, 2023
Summary
A new method accurately measures polonium-210 (210Po) and lead-210 (210Pb) in environmental samples. This technique offers high recovery and low detection limits for radioactivity analysis.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Radiochemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Polonium-210 (210Po) and lead-210 (210Pb) are naturally occurring radionuclides with environmental significance.
- Accurate determination of these isotopes is crucial for environmental monitoring and risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a sensitive and reliable method for quantifying 210Po and 210Pb in various environmental matrices.
- To achieve high chemical recoveries and low minimum detectable activity (MDA) for accurate radionuclide analysis.
Main Methods:
- Pre-concentration of 210Po from water samples using titanium (III) hydroxide co-precipitation.
- Digestion of solid samples with nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide.
- Preparation of alpha thin layer sources via CuS micro-precipitation.
- Measurement of 210Po by alpha spectrometry and indirect measurement of 210Pb via its progeny.
Main Results:
- High chemical recoveries achieved: 90% for 210Po and 97% for 210Pb.
- Very low minimum detectable activity (MDA) obtained for both radionuclides.
- Method validated using standardized solutions and certified reference materials.
Conclusions:
- The developed method provides a sensitive and robust approach for determining 210Po and 210Pb in diverse environmental samples.
- The high recoveries and low MDA make this method suitable for accurate environmental radioactivity monitoring.
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