ASTM D3454-18

Standard Test Method for Radium-226 in Water 

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The most prevalent of the five radium isotopes in ground water, having a half life greater than one day, are 226Ra and 228Ra. These two isotopes also present the greatest health risk compared to the other naturally occurring nuclides of equal concentrations if ingested via the water pathway.  
5.2 Although primarily utilized on a water medium, this technique may be applicable for the measurement of the 226Ra content of any media once the medium has been completely decomposed and put into an aqueous solution.  
5.3 The general methodology and basis of this technique are similar to the methodology “Radium-226 in Drinking Water (Radon Emanation Technique)” as described in the document EPA-600//4-80-032.4
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of soluble, suspended, and total 226Ra in water in concentrations above 3.7 × 10−3 Bq/L. This test method is not applicable to the measurement of other radium isotopes.  
1.2 This test method may be used for quantitative measurements by calibrating with a 226Ra standard, or for relative measurements by comparing the measurements made with each other.  
1.3 This test method does not meet the current requirements of Practice D2777.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.5 Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is very hazardous and should be used in a well-ventilated hood. Wear rubber gloves, safety glasses or goggles, and a laboratory coat. Avoid breathing any HF fumes. Clean up all spills promptly and wash thoroughly after using HF.  
1.6 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2018
• ICS: 13.060.50 - Examination of water for chemical substances
• Technical Committee: D19 - Water
• Drafting Committee: D19.04 - Methods of Radiochemical Analysis

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: D3454 − 18
Standard Test Method for
1
Radium-226 in Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3454; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of soluble, 2.1 ASTM Standards:
226
suspended, and total Ra in water in concentrations above D1129Terminology Relating to Water
−3
3.7×10 Bq/L. This test method is not applicable to the D1193Specification for Reagent Water
measurement of other radium isotopes. D2777Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
1.2 This test method may be used for quantitative measure-
226 D3370Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
ments by calibrating with a Ra standard, or for relative
D3649PracticeforHigh-ResolutionGamma-RaySpectrom-
measurements by comparing the measurements made with
etry of Water
each other.
D5847Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications
1.3 Thistestmethoddoesnotmeetthecurrentrequirements
for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis
of Practice D2777.
D7902Terminology for Radiochemical Analyses
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3. Terminology
standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
3.1 Definitions:
conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for informa-
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to
tion only and are not considered standard.
D1129 and D7902.
Terminologies
1.5 Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is very hazardous and should be
used in a well-ventilated hood. Wear rubber gloves, safety 4. Summary of Test Method
glasses or goggles, and a laboratory coat.Avoid breathing any
3
4.1 This test method is based on the emanation and
HF fumes. Clean up all spills promptly and wash thoroughly 222
scintillation counting of Rn, a gaseous progeny product
after using HF.
226
of Ra, from a solution.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
226
4.2 Ra is collected from water by coprecipitation on a
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
relatively large amount of barium sulfate. The barium-radium
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
sulfateisdecomposedbyfumingwithphosphoricacid,andthe
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
resulting glassy melt is dissolved by evaporation with dilute
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
hydrochloric acid to form soluble barium-radium phosphates
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
and chlorides. These salts are dissolved and the solution is
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
222
stored for ingrowth of Rn.After a suitable ingrowth period,
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
theradongasisremovedfromthesolutionbypurgingwithgas
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
and transferred to a scintillation counting chamber. About 4 h
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water the ASTM website.
3
andisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD19.04onMethodsofRadiochemi- This test method is based on a previously published method by Rushing, D. E.,
cal Analysis. Garcia, W. J., and Clark, D. A., “The Analysis of Effluents and Environmental
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2018. Published November 2018. Originally Samples from Uranium Mills and of Biological Samples for Radium, Polonium and
approved in 1975. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D3454–11. DOI: Uranium,” Radiological Health and Safety in Mining and Milling of Nuclear
10.1520/D3454-18. Materials, Vol II, IAEA, Vienna, Austria, 1964, p. 187.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D3454 − 18
222
after Rn collection, the scintillation chamber is counted for
226
alpha activity. The Ra concentration is calculated from the
222
alpha count rate of Rn and its immediate progeny. The
226
radioactive decay characteristics of Ra and its immediate
decay progeny are listed in Table 1.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Themostprevalentofthefiveradiumisotopesinground
226
water, having
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D3454 − 11 D3454 − 18
Standard Test Method for
1
Radium-226 in Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3454; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
226
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of soluble, suspended, and total radium-226Ra in water in concentrations above
−3
3.7 × 10 Bq/L. This test method is not applicable to the measurement of other radium isotopes.
226
1.2 This test method may be used for quantitative measurements by calibrating with a radium-226Ra standard, or for relative
measurements by comparing the measurements made with each other.
1.3 This test method does not meet the current requirements of Practice D2777.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units values given in parentheses are for
information only.mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered
standard.
1.5 Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is very hazardous and should be used in a well-ventilated hood. Wear rubber gloves, safety glasses
or goggles, and a laboratory coat. Avoid breathing any HF fumes. Clean up all spills promptly and wash thoroughly after using
HF.
1.6 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
D3648 Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity
D3649 Practice for High-Resolution Gamma-Ray Spectrometry of Water
D3856 Guide for Management Systems in Laboratories Engaged in Analysis of Water
D4448 Guide for Sampling Ground-Water Monitoring Wells
D5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis
D6001D7902 Guide for Direct-Push Groundwater Sampling for Environmental Site CharacterizationTerminology for Radio-
chemical Analyses
D7282 Practice for Set-up, Calibration, and Quality Control of Instruments Used for Radioactivity Measurements
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology D1129. For terms not defined in this test method or
in Terminology D1129, reference may be made to other published glossaries.Definitions:
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.04 on Methods of Radiochemical
Analysis.
Current edition approved June 15, 2011. Published July 2011. Originally approved in 1975. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D3454 – 05. DOI: 10.1520/D3454-11.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2018. Published November 2018. Originally approved in 1975. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D3454 – 11. DOI:
10.1520/D3454-18.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D3454 − 18
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to Terminologies D1129 and D7902.
4. Summary of Test Method
3 222
4.1 This test method is based on the emanation and scintillation counting of Rn, a gaseous daughterprogeny product
226
of Ra, from a solution.
226
4.2 Ra is collected from water by coprecipitation on a relatively large amount of barium sulfate. The barium-radium sulfate
is deco
...