Measurement Techniques for Low-Concentration Tritium Radiation in Water: Review and Prospects

Tritium (³H) is one of the most critical nuclides for environmental monitoring, yet it is challenging to measure. Its high natural mobility and its potential to enter the human body through the food chain underscore the importance of not overlooking the radiation safety risks associated with tritium. The need for the online measurement of tritium at low concentrations is becoming increasingly apparent. This review examines the two principal stages of current measurement methodologies: sample preparation and radiation signal detection. It provides a summary of the tritium sample preparation and detection techniques, highlighting advances in the research with potential applications in online monitoring. The review concludes with an analysis of the issues inherent in the current techniques and offers perspectives on possible technological enhancements and future trajectories for the development of online monitoring systems for trace tritium levels.