Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026

Automated 90Sr Separation and Preconcentration in a Lab-on-Valve System at Ppq Level
Published on: June 6, 2018
Effect of analytical factors on the determination of gross alpha/beta activity in drinking water using liquid
Zhimo Chen1, Liangliang Yin1, Cen Shi1
1Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, China CDC, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100088, China.
Abstract:
A method for the determination of gross alpha and beta activity concentrations in drinking water samples was established using liquid scintillation counting (LSC) through a series of batch experiments on water samples spiked with 241Am and 90Sr/90Y. Counting windows were set to cover the full energy spectrum. α/β discrimination was investigated considering the use of calibration sources, spillover, and additional factors (e.g. scintillation cocktail type, acidic media, pH, sample-to-cocktail volume ratio) and was optimized. The optimized Pulse Shape Analysis value was set to 120 (τα + τβ = 5.511%). The impact of the total dissolved solids and sample-to-scintillation liquid volume ratio on counting efficiency was investigated. After optimization, the gross alpha and beta counting efficiencies were 26.6% and 37.6%, respectively. The measurement results demonstrated good agreement between the values obtained by LSC and the solid scintillation counting.
Related Concept Videos
Biological Effects of Radiation
Factors Affecting Activity Coefficient
The activity coefficient value for an ion is close to one when the solution has almost zero ionic strength, i.e., when the solution shows close to ideal behavior. As the ionic strength of the solution increases from 0 to 0.1 mol/L, a...
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Lab
Solutions containing organic solvents, such as low-molecular-mass alcohols, esters, or ketones, enhance absorbances by increasing...
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Overview
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Interference
Spectral interference occurs when signals from other elements or molecules overlap with the analyte signal, falsely elevating or masking the analyte's absorbance. This interference can be corrected using Zeeman,...

