ASTM C1205-20

Standard Test Method for The Radiochemical Determination of Americium-241 in Soil by Alpha Spectrometry

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method provides the speed and high decontamination factors attainable with liquid-liquid extraction of the actinides and eliminates filtration techniques that are more time consuming.  
5.2 This test method provides a precise determination of americium in concentrations normally found in environmental samples.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of 241Am in soil by means of chemical separations and alpha spectrometry. It is designed to analyze up to 10 g of soil or other sample matrices that contain up to 30 mg of combined rare earths. This test method allows the determination of 241Am concentrations from ambient levels to applicable standards.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.3 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.  
1.4 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: 30-Nov-2020
• ICS: 27.120.30 - Fissile materials and nuclear fuel technology
• Technical Committee: C26 - Nuclear Fuel Cycle
• Drafting Committee: C26.05 - Methods of Test

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: C1205 − 20
Standard Test Method for
The Radiochemical Determination of Americium-241 in Soil
1
by Alpha Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1205; 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 D3648 Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity
241
1.1 This test method covers the determination of Am in
3. Terminology
soil by means of chemical separations and alpha spectrometry.
3.1 Definitions:
It is designed to analyze up to 10 g of soil or other sample
3.1.1 Except as otherwise defined herein, definitions of
matricesthatcontainupto30mgofcombinedrareearths.This
241
terms are as given in Terminology C859.
test method allows the determination of Am concentrations
from ambient levels to applicable standards.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
4.1 Americium-241 is determined in prepared soil samples
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
of up to 10 g. The soil is completely dissolved by use of
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
pyrosulfate fusion.After an initial separation on barium sulfate
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
and extraction with an organophosphorous compound, the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
americium is separated from the other trivalent actinides and
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
the rare earths by oxidation of the americium and precipitation
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
of the interferences. The americium is prepared for alpha
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
spectrometry by coprecipitation with neodymium fluoride and
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
241 243
the Am determined by alpha spectrometry using Am as a
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
yield monitor.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.2 Typical radiochemical recoveries of this test method as
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
determined by the yield monitor, are between 75 and 90 %.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Decontamination factors from other radionuclides that may
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
interfere with the determination of americium in this energy
4 5
2. Referenced Documents range are 10 –10 .
2 243
2.1 ASTM Standards: 4.3 The reagent blank contains all reagents plus the Am
C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials tracer. Five samples and a reagent blank can be completed and
C998 Practice for Sampling Surface Soil for Radionuclides ready for alpha spectrometry in approximately 6 h. The
C999 Practice for Soil Sample Preparation for the Determi- full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) detector resolution
nation of Radionuclides ranges between 43 and 65 keV.
C1163 Practice for MountingActinides forAlpha Spectrom-
5. Significance and Use
etry Using Neodymium Fluoride
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
5.1 This test method provides the speed and high decon-
D3084 Practice for Alpha-Particle Spectrometry of Water
tamination factors attainable with liquid-liquid extraction of
the actinides and eliminates filtration techniques that are more
time consuming.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear
Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of
5.2 This test method provides a precise determination of
Test.
americium in concentrations normally found in environmental
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2020. Published February 2021. Originally
samples.
approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as C1205 – 07 (2012).
DOI: 10.1520/C1205-20.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 6. Interferences
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
6.1 Plutonium, if inadequately separated, may interfere with
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
241
the ASTM website. the alpha spectrometric determination of Am. Thorium-228,
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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C1205 − 20
identifiable by its progeny, is a serious interference to the final 8
...

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: C1205 − 07 (Reapproved 2012) C1205 − 20
Standard Test Method for
The Radiochemical Determination of Americium-241 in Soil
1
by Alpha Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1205; 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
241
1.1 This test method covers the determination of americium–241Am in soil by means of chemical separations and alpha
spectrometry. It is designed to analyze up to ten grams 10 g of soil or other sample matrices that contain up to 30 mg of combined
241
rare earths. This test method allows the determination of americium–241Am concentrations from ambient levels to applicable
standards. The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for
information only and are not considered standard.
1.3 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.For specific precaution statements, see Section 10.
1.4 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:
C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
C998 Practice for Sampling Surface Soil for Radionuclides
C999 Practice for Soil Sample Preparation for the Determination of Radionuclides
C1163 Practice for Mounting Actinides for Alpha Spectrometry Using Neodymium Fluoride
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D3084 Practice for Alpha-Particle Spectrometry of Water
D3648 Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms in this standard, refer to Terminology C859.
3.1 Definitions:
1
This test method 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 June 1, 2012Dec. 1, 2020. Published June 2012February 2021. Originally approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 20072012 as
C1205C1205 – 07 (2012).–07. DOI: 10.1520/C1205-07R12.10.1520/C1205-20.
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 ----------------------
C1205 − 20
3.1.1 Except as otherwise defined herein, definitions of terms are as given in Terminology C859.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Americium–241Americium-241 is determined in prepared soil samples of up to 10 g. The soil is completely dissolved by use
of pyrosulfate fusion. After an initial separation on barium sulfate and extraction with an organophosphorous compound, the
americium is separated from the other trivalent actinides and the rare earths by oxidation of the americium and precipitation of the
interferences. The americium is prepared for alpha spectrometry by coprecipitation with neodymium fluoride and the
241 243
americium–241Am determined by alpha spectrometry using americium–243Am as a yield monitor.
4.2 Typical radiochemical recoveries of this test method as determined by the yield monitor, are between 75 and 90 %.
Decontamination factors from other radionuclides that may interfere with the determination of americium in this energy range are
4 5
10 –10 .
243
4.3 The reagent blank contains all reagents plus the americium–243Am tracer. Five samples and a reagent blank can be
completed and ready for alpha spectrometry in approximately 6 h. The full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) detector resolution
ranges between 43 and 65 keV.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method provides the speed
...