Analytical Sciences


Abstract − Analytical Sciences, 15(1), 23 (1999).

Determination of 210 Pb and 210 Po in Environmental Samples by Alpha Ray Spectrometry Using an Extraction Chromatographic Resin
Tsutomu MIURA * , Kazuhiko HAYANO and Kazushige NAKAYAMA
Japan Chemical Analysis Center, Sanno, Inage, Chiba 263-0002, Japan
A determination method using an extraction chromatographic resin (EiChroM Sr.Spec') has been developed for 210 Pb and 210 Po in environmental samples by alpha ray spectrometry. 210 Pb and 210 Po were coprecipitated simultaneously on CuS at pH 4.0 - 5.5. These nuclides were then adsorbed on a Sr.Spec' resin column (0.79¥4.0 cm) in 4 M HCl. The 210 Pb and 210 Po on the resin were eluted with 8 M HCl and 6 M HNO3, respectively. 210 Po was determined by alpha-ray spectrometry after plating on a stainless-steel disk. 210 Pb was determined as 210 Po produced from 210 Pb decay. The method was applied to soil (IAEA-326) and sediments (NIST-4354, IAEA-135, IAEA-368) standard reference materials, and the results agreed with their recommended values. The chemical yield of Po ranged from 56 to 99% and the yield of Pb was 95%. The detection limits of 210 Pb and 210 Po were 0.6 mBq/sample at a counting time of 70000 s. (Keywords: Polonium-210, lead-210, alpha ray spectrometry, extraction chromatography, standard reference material)