ASTM D5811-00

Standard Test Method for Strontium-90 in Water

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method was developed to measure the concentration of  90Sr in non-process water samples. This test method may be used to determine the concentration of  90Sr in environmental samples.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of radioactive  90Sr in environmental water samples (for example, non-process and effluent waters) in the range of 0.037 Bq/L (1.0 pCi/L) or greater.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.3 This test method has been used successfully with tap water. It is the user's responsibility to ensure the validity of this test method for samples larger than 1 L and for waters of untested matrices.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see Section 9.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Jul-2000
• ICS: 13.060.50 - Examination of water for chemical substances
• ICS: 13.060.60 - Examination of physical properties of water
• Technical Committee: D19 - Water
• Drafting Committee: D19.04 - Methods of Radiochemical Analysis

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D5811-08 - Standard Test Method for Strontium-90 in Water
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2008

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D 5811–00
Standard Test Method for
Strontium-90 in Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5811; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 4. Summary of Test Method
1.1 This test method covers the determination of radioac- 4.1 This test method is based on the utilization of solid
tive Sr in environmental water samples (for example, non- phase extraction of strontium from water samples with detec-
process and effluent waters) in the range of 0.037 Bq/L (1.0 tionoftheradioactivestrontiumbygrossbetagasproportional
pCi/L) or greater. counting.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 4.2 An aliquant of the sample is measured into a beaker,
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information strontium carrier added, digested with nitric acid, sorbed on an
only. ion exchange column, eluted, evaporated to dryness, dissolved
1.3 This test method has been used successfully with tap in nitric acid (8M), selectively sorbed on a solid phase
water.Itistheuser’sresponsibilitytoensurethevalidityofthis extraction column, eluted with dilute nitric acid, dried on a
test method for samples larger than 1 L and for waters of planchet, and counted for beta radiation.
untested matrices.
5. Significance and Use
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 5.1 This test method was developed to measure the concen-
tration of Sr in non-process water samples. This test method
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- may be used to determine the concentration of Sr in environ-
mental samples.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
statements, see Section 9.
6. Interferences
2. Referenced Documents
6.1 Significant amounts of stable strontium present in the
2.1 ASTM Standards: sample will interfere with the yield determination. If it is
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water known or suspected that natural strontium is present in the
sample, blank sample aliquots to which no strontium carrier is
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D1890 Test Method for Beta Particle Radioactivity of added shall be analyzed to determine the natural strontium
content. The amount of natural strontium contained in the
Water
D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of sample shall be used to correct the yield.
6.2 Strontium-89 present in the sample will cause a high
Applicable Methods of Committee D-19 on Water
89 90
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Con- bias in proportion to the Sr/ Sr ratio. This technique is not
applicablewhenitissuspectedorknownthat Srispresentin
duits
D3648 Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity the sample.
6.3 Strontium nitrate (Sr(NO ) ) is hygroscopic. This
3 2
3. Terminology
chemicalpropertymayadduncertaintyinthegravimetricyield
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test determination.
method, refer to Terminology D1129.
7. Apparatus
7.1 Analytical Balance, 0.0001 g.
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D-19 on Water
7.2 Gas Proportional Beta Counting System, (<1.0 cpm
andisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD19.04onMethodsofRadiochemi-
beta), low background.
cal Analysis.
Current edition approved July 10, 2000. Published October 2000. Originally
7.3 Ion Exchange Columns, 10 mL resin capacity, glass or
published as D5811–95. Last previous edition D5811–95.
acid-resistantplastic.Anattachedreservoirofatleast50mLis
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01.
desirable.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.02.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 5811–00
7.4 Planchets, stainless steel, 5.1 cm (2 in.) diameter with 6 9. Hazards
mm ( ⁄4 in.) high outer lip.
9.1 Use extreme caution when handling all acids. They are
extremely corrosive and skin contact could result in severe
8. Reagents and Materials
burns.
8.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be
9.2 When diluting concentrated acids, always use safety
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that
glasses and protective clothing, and add the acid to the water.
all reagents shall conform to specifications of the Committee
on Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society.
10. Sampling
Other grades may be used, provided it is first ascertained that
10.1 Collect a sample in accordance with Practice D3370.
the reagent is of sufficiently high purity to permit its use
without lessening the accuracy of the determination. Reagent
11. Calibration
blanks shall be run with all determinations.
8.2 Purity of Water— Unless otherwise indicated, reference 11.1 Prepare a set of three calibration samples according to
towatershallbeunderstoodtomeanreagentwaterconforming the calibration procedure outlined in the subsequent steps.
to Specification D1193, Type III. 11.2 Pipet 0.5 mL of strontium carrier into a small beaker.
8.3 Radioactive Purity—Radioactive purity shall be such
11.3 Add 1 mL of NIST traceable Sr solution and evapo-
that the measured radioactivity of blank samples does not rate to near dryness on a hot plate.
exceed the calculated probable error of the measurement.
11.4 Redissolve the residual in 5 mL of nitric acid (8M).
8.4 Cation Exchange Resin, 100 to 200 mesh, hydrogen 11.5 Follow the steps described in 12.10 through 12.22.
form.
11.6 Count to amass 10000 counts in the counting period.
8.5 Nitric Acid (1 + 1)—Combine one part by volume Counting should be completed within3hof column elution.
concentrated nitric acid, HNO (sp gr 1.42) and one part by
Record the time and date of the midpoint of this counting
volume water. This solution is 8 M HNO . periodas t .Counteachsamplemounttwice,onceforthisstep
3 2
8.6 Nitric Acid (1 + 159)—Combine one part by volume
having a counting date designated as t and a second time as
concentrated nitric acid, HNO (sp gr 1.42) and 159 parts by specified below.
volume water. This solution is 0.1 M HNO .
11.7 Calculate the net count rate of the first count (cps)by
8.7 Nitric Acid (1 + 319)—Combine one part by volume subtracting the instrument background count rate from the
concentrated nitric acid, HNO (sp gr 1.42) and 319 parts by
gross count rate.
volume water. This solution is 0.05 M HNO . 11.8 Store the calibration mount for at least 7 days to allow
8.8 Strontium Carrier (10 g/L)—Preferably use 10000 µg
for Y ingrowth.
Sr/mLICPstandard. Alternatively,dissolve24.16gstrontium 11.9 Recount the calibration mount to amass 10000 counts
nitrate (Sr (NO ) ) in water and dilute to 1 L. Use the
in a counting period. Record the time and date of the midpoint
3 2
following procedure to standardize the prepared strontium of this count period as t .
carrier. Carefully pipet a 5.0 mL portion of the strontium
11.10 Calculatethenetcountrateofthesecondcount(cps )
carrier solution onto a clean, dried, and tared planchet. Dry the
by subtracting the instrument background count rate from the
planchetunderadryinglamp.Cooltheplanchetinadesiccator
gross count rate.
and weigh. Divide the net weight by 10. This result is the
11.11 Calculate the Sr detection efficiency, E , and the
S
amount of strontium nitrate actually added. Use an average of
90Y detection efficiency, E , for each calibration mount using
Y
three values in the denominator of the recovery equation in
the equations presented below. Calculate the mean and stan-
11.2and13.1.Thisvalueshouldbewithin3%of12.08mg/0.5
dard deviation of the three E and E values. Use the relative
Sr Y
mL.
standard deviation of these parameters to estimate the relative
8.9 Strontium Extraction Chromatography Column,2mL
uncertainty of the ingrowth efficiency factor, U of Eq 7.
IE
bed volume.
11.12 Effıciency Calculations:
8.10 Strontium-90 Standardizing Solution—National Insti-
Sr detection efficiency E —
Sr
tute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceable solution
R 3 IF 2 R 3 IF
~ ! ~ !
C 2! 2 C 3! 1
~ ~
with less than 0.1 mg of stable strontium per mL of final E 5 (1)
Sr
Y 3 A 3 ~IF 2 IF !#
Sr C~2! 2 1
solution with a typical concentration range from 85 to 125
Y detection efficiency E —
Bq/mL. Y
R 2 ~Y 3 A 3 E !
C~3! Sr C~2! Sr
E 5 (2)
Y
4 Y 3 A 3 IF
Sr C 2! 2
Stainless steel planchets available commercially have been found satisfactory. ~
Reagent Chemicals, American Chemical Society Specifications, American
Chemical Society, Washington, DC. For suggestions on the testing of reagents not where:
listed by the American Chemical Society, see Analar Standards for Laboratory
A = activity of Sr in Bq at the time of the first count
C(2)
Chemicals, BDH Ltd., Poole, Dorset, U.K., and the United States Pharmacopeia
of the calibration mount,
and National Formulary, U.S. Pharmaceutical Convention, Inc. (USPC), Rockville,
−l ( t −t )
Y 2 1
IF = 1
...