ASTM C1507-20

Standard Test Method for Radiochemical Determination of Strontium-90 in Soil

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Because soil is an integrator and a reservoir of long-lived radionuclides, and serves as an intermediary in several pathways of potential exposure to humans, knowledge of the concentration of 90Sr in soil is essential. A soil sampling and analysis program provides a direct means of determining the concentration and distribution of radionuclides in soil. A soil analysis program has the most significance for the preoperational monitoring program to establish baseline concentrations prior to the operation of a nuclear facility. Soil analysis, although useful in special cases involving unexpected releases, may not be able to assess small incremental releases.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is applicable to the determination of 90Sr in soil at levels of detection dependent on count time, sample size, detector efficiency, background, and chemical yield.  
1.2 This test method is designed for the analysis of 10 g of soil, previously collected and treated as described in Practices C998 and C999. This test method may not be able to completely dissolve all soil matrices.  
1.3 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.  
1.4 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 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: 13.080.05 - Examination of soils in general
• 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: C1507 − 20
Standard Test Method for
1
Radiochemical Determination of Strontium-90 in Soil
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1507; 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 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method is applicable to the determination of 3.1 Definitions:
90
Sr in soil at levels of detection dependent on count time,
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to
sample size, detector efficiency, background, and chemical
Terminology C859.
yield.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.2 This test method is designed for the analysis of 10 g of
soil, previously collected and treated as described in Practices
4.1 Strontium is extracted from soil with a mixture of nitric,
C998 and C999. This test method may not be able to
hydrochloric, and hydrofluoric acids in the presence of stron-
completely dissolve all soil matrices.
tium carrier. Strontium is isolated by extraction chromatogra-
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
phy and evaporated on a planchet for recovery determination
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
and subsequent beta counting. This test method describes one
90
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
of the possible approaches to determine Sr in soil. The
chemical yield is typically 95 % with a detection limit of about
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
0.004 Bq/g for a ten gram sample.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5. Significance and Use
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.1 Because soil is an integrator and a reservoir of long-
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
lived radionuclides, and serves as an intermediary in several
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
pathways of potential exposure to humans, knowledge of the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
90
concentration of Sr in soil is essential. A soil sampling and
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
analysis program provides a direct means of determining the
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
concentration and distribution of radionuclides in soil. A soil
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
analysis program has the most significance for the preopera-
tional monitoring program to establish baseline concentrations
2. Referenced Documents
prior to the operation of a nuclear facility. Soil analysis,
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
although useful in special cases involving unexpected releases,
C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
may not be able to assess small incremental releases.
C998 Practice for Sampling Surface Soil for Radionuclides
C999 Practice for Soil Sample Preparation for the Determi-
6. Interferences
nation of Radionuclides
6.1 Thepresenceofstrontium-89inthesamplemaybiasthe
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
90
reported Sr results using this method.
D7282 Practice for Set-up, Calibration, and Quality Control
of Instruments Used for Radioactivity Measurements
6.2 Large concentrations of strontium, calcium, barium, or
lead in the soil sample could interfere with the extraction
chromatographic separation by loading the column with these
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear
elements. Subsection 12.1 discusses procedures for accounting
Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of
Test. for the stable strontium.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2020. Published February 2021. Originally
6.3 The final strontium form is a nitrate salt and it is
approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as C1507 – 12. DOI:
10.1520/C1507-20.
hygroscopic.Caremustbetakenwhendeterminingthemassof
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
the final precipitate to avoid mass fluctuations and changes in
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
physical form or self-absorption due to water absorption from
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. the atmosphere.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. Un
...

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: C1507 − 12 C1507 − 20
Standard Test Method for
1
Radiochemical Determination of Strontium-90 in Soil
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1507; 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
90
1.1 This test method is applicable to the determination of strontium-90Sr in soil at levels of detection dependent on count time,
sample size, detector efficiency, background, and chemical yield.
1.2 This test method is designed for the analysis of ten grams 10 g of soil, previously collected and treated as described in Practices
C998 and C999. This test method may not be able to completely dissolve all soil matrices. The values stated in SI units are to be
regarded as the standard.
1.3 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.
1.4 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 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
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
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 standard, refer to Terminology C859.
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to Terminology C859.
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 2001. Last previous edition approved in 20072012 as
C1507 – 07C1507 – 12.E01. DOI: 10.1520/C1507-12.10.1520/C1507-20.
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

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C1507 − 20
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Strontium is extracted from soil with a mixture of nitric, hydrochloric, and hydrofluoric acids in the presence of strontium
carrier. Strontium is isolated by extraction chromatography and evaporated on a planchet for recovery determination and
90
subsequent beta counting. This test method describes one of the possible approaches to determine strontium-90Sr in soil. The
chemical yield is typically 95 % with a detection limit of about 0.004 Bq/g for a ten gram sample.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Because soil is an integrator and a reservoir of long-lived radionuclides, and serves as an intermediary in several pathways
90
of potential exposure to humans, knowledge of the concentration of strontium-90Sr in soil is essential. A soil sampling and
analysis program provides a direct means of determining the concentration and distribution of radionuclides in soil. A soil analysis
program has the most significance for the preoperational monitoring program to establish baseline concentrations prior to the
operation of a nuclear facility. Soil analysis, although useful in special cases involving unexpected releases, may not be able to
assess small incremental releases.
6. Interferences
90
6.1 The presence of strontium-89 in the sample may bias the reported strontium-90Sr results using this method.
6.2 Large concentrations of strontium
...