ASTM C1590-21

Standard Practice for Alternate Actinide Calibration for Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 One of the benefits of this standard practice is the ability to calibrate for the analysis of highly radioactive actinides using calibration standards at much lower specific activities (that is,  232Th and 238U). Environmental laboratories may find this standard practice useful if facilities are not available to handle the highly radioactive standards of the individual actinides of interest.  
5.2 The degree of actual mass bias is variable and is dependent upon instrument tune parameters. This standard practice uses universal interference equations to derive a mass bias correction that is specific to the instrument parameters and tune used for sample data acquisition and not based on a historical average.  
5.3 Mass bias correction uses the instrument software interference equations and does not require additional subsequent off-line calculations.  
5.4 The methodology that this standard practice is based on has been used for the determination of 232Th and  237Np in enriched uranium solutions and the determination of  241Am in plutonium and uranium legacy oxides following dissolution and ion extraction chromatography separation.  
5.5 Data presented in Section 12 were developed using a quadrupole ICP-MS. This practice can also be applied to high resolution ICP-MS with appropriate validation.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice provides guidance for an alternate linear calibration for the determination of selected actinide isotopes in appropriately prepared aqueous solutions by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). This alternate calibration is mass bias adjusted using thorium-232 (232Th) and uranium-238 (238U) standards. One of the benefits of this standard practice is the ability to calibrate for the analysis of highly radioactive actinides using calibration standards at much lower specific activities. Environmental laboratories may find this standard practice useful if facilities are not available to handle the highly radioactive standards of the individual actinides of interest.  
1.2 The instrument response for a series of determinations of known concentration of 232Th and 238U defines the mass versus response relationship. For each standard concentration, the slope of the line defined by 232Th and  238U is used to derive linear calibration curves for each mass of interest using interference equations. The mass bias corrected calibration curves, although generated from interference equations, are specific to the instrument operating parameters and tuning in effect at the time of data acquisition. Because interference equations are part of the normal ICP-MS manufacturer's software package, this calibration methodology is widely applicable.  
1.3 For this standard practice, the actinide atomic mass range that has been studied is from AMU 232 to 244. Guidance for an extended range of AMU 228 to 248 is given in this practice.  
1.4 Using this practice, analyte concentrations are reported at each AMU and not by element total (that is, 239Pu versus plutonium).  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
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: Published
• Publication Date: 31-May-2021
• ICS: 71.040.50 - Physicochemical methods of analysis
• Technical Committee: C26 - Nuclear Fuel Cycle
• Drafting Committee: C26.05 - Methods of Test

Relations

• Refers: ASTM C1411-20 - Standard Practice for The Ion Exchange Separation of Uranium and Plutonium Prior to Isotopic Analysis
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2020

Standards Content (Sample)

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.
Designation: C1590 − 21
Standard Practice for
Alternate Actinide Calibration for Inductively Coupled
1
Plasma-Mass Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1590; 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 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This practice provides guidance for an alternate linear
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
calibration for the determination of selected actinide isotopes
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
in appropriately prepared aqueous solutions by Inductively
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). This alternate
232 1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
calibrationismassbiasadjustedusingthorium-232( Th)and
238 dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
uranium-238 ( U) standards. One of the benefits of this
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
standard practice is the ability to calibrate for the analysis of
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
highly radioactive actinides using calibration standards at
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
muchlowerspecificactivities.Environmentallaboratoriesmay
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
findthisstandardpracticeusefuliffacilitiesarenotavailableto
handle the highly radioactive standards of the individual
2. Referenced Documents
actinides of interest.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2 The instrument response for a series of determinations
C859Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
232 238
of known concentration of Th and U defines the mass
C1168PracticeforPreparationandDissolutionofPlutonium
versus response relationship. For each standard concentration,
Materials for Analysis
232 238
theslopeofthelinedefinedby Thand Uisusedtoderive
C1347Practice for Preparation and Dissolution of Uranium
linear calibration curves for each mass of interest using
Materials for Analysis
interference equations. The mass bias corrected calibration
C1411Practice for The Ion Exchange Separation of Ura-
curves, although generated from interference equations, are
nium and Plutonium Prior to Isotopic Analysis
specific to the instrument operating parameters and tuning in
C1463Practices for Dissolving Glass Containing Radioac-
effect at the time of data acquisition. Because interference
tive and Mixed Waste for Chemical and Radiochemical
equations are part of the normal ICP-MS manufacturer’s
Analysis
software package, this calibration methodology is widely
D1193Specification for Reagent Water
applicable.
3. Terminology
1.3 For this standard practice, the actinide atomic mass
rangethathasbeenstudiedisfromAMU232to244.Guidance
3.1 Definitions:
for an extended range of AMU 228 to 248 is given in this
3.1.1 For definitions of terms relating to nuclear materials,
practice.
refer to Terminology C859.
3.2 Abbreviations:
1.4 Using this practice, analyte concentrations are reported
239
3.2.1 AMU—Atomic Mass Unit
at each AMU and not by element total (that is, Pu versus
plutonium).
4. Summary of Practice
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
4.1 Calibration for the actinides by ICP-MS can be per-
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
formed in a variety of ways with varying degrees of data
standard.
quality. An alternative calibration method has been developed
tocompensateforinstrumentmassbiasusingageneratedmass
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear
Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of
2
Test. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2021.PublishedJuly2021.Originallyapproved contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as C1590–04 (2014). DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/C1590-21. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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C1590 − 21
232 238
response curve defined by the Th and U data points. The with dilute nitric acid to develop a c
...

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: C1590 − 04 (Reapproved 2014) C1590 − 21
Standard Practice for
Alternate Actinide Calibration for Inductively Coupled
1
Plasma-Mass Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1590; 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
1.1 This practice provides guidance for an alternate linear calibration for the determination of selected actinide isotopes in
appropriately prepared aqueous solutions by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). This alternate calibration
232 238
is mass bias adjusted using thorium-232 ( Th) and uranium-238 ( U) standards. One of the benefits of this standard practice
is the ability to calibrate for the analysis of highly radioactive actinides using calibration standards at much lower specific activities.
Environmental laboratories may find this standard practice useful if facilities are not available to handle the highly radioactive
standards of the individual actinides of interest.
232 238
1.2 The instrument response for a series of determinations of known concentration of Th and U defines the mass versus
232 238
response relationship. For each standard concentration, the slope of the line defined by Th and U is used to derive linear
calibration curves for each mass of interest using interference equations. The mass bias corrected calibration curves, although
generated from interference equations, are specific to the instrument operating parameters and tuning in effect at the time of data
acquisition. Because interference equations are part of the normal ICP-MS manufacturer’s software package, this calibration
methodology is widely applicable.
1.3 For this standard practice, the actinide atomic mass range that has been studied is from amu 232–244. AMU 232 to 244.
Guidance for an extended range of amu 228–248 AMU 228 to 248 is given in this practice.
239
1.4 Using this practice, analyte concentrations are reported at each amuAMU and not by element total (that is, Pu versus
plutonium).
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
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.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of Test.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2014June 1, 2021. Published February 2014July 2021. Originally approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 20092014 as
C1590 – 04 (2009).(2014). DOI: 10.1520/C1590-04R14.10.1520/C1590-21.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C1590 − 21
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
C1168 Practice for Preparation and Dissolution of Plutonium Materials for Analysis
C1347 Practice for Preparation and Dissolution of Uranium Materials for Analysis
C1411 Practice for The Ion Exchange Separation of Uranium and Plutonium Prior to Isotopic Analysis
3
C1414 Practice for The Separation of Americium from Plutonium by Ion Exchange (Withdrawn 2020)
C1463 Practices for Dissolving Glass Containing Radioactive and Mixed Waste for Chemical and Radiochemical Analysis
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms relating to nuclear materials, refer to Terminology C859.
3.1.2 AMU—atomic mass unit.
3.2 Abbreviations:
3.2.1 AMU—Atomic Mass Unit
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 Calibration for the actinides by ICP-MS can be performed in a variety of ways with varying degrees of data quality. An
alternative calibrat
...