ASTM D2460-05
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Alpha-Particle-Emitting Isotopes of Radium in Water
Standard Test Method for Alpha-Particle-Emitting Isotopes of Radium in Water
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the separation of dissolved radium from water for the purpose of measuring its radioactivity. Although all radium isotopes are separated, the test method is limited to alpha-particle-emitting isotopes by choice of radiation detector. The most important of these radioisotopes are 223Ra, 224Ra, and 226Ra. The lower limit of concentration to which this test method is applicable is 3.7 10-2 Bq/L (1 pCi/L).
1.2 This test method may be used for absolute measurements by calibrating with a suitable alpha-emitting radioisotope such as 226Ra, or for relative methods by comparing measurements with each other. Mixtures of radium isotopes may be reported as equivalent 226Ra. Information is also provided from which the relative contributions of radium isotopes may be calculated.
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 a specific precautionary statement, see Section 9.
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Designation:D2460–05
Standard Test Method for
1
Alpha-Particle-Emitting Isotopes of Radium in Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2460; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D 3648 Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity
D 4448 Guide for Sampling Ground-Water Monitoring
1.1 This test method covers the separation of dissolved
Wells
radium from water for the purpose of measuring its radioac-
D 5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications
tivity. Although all radium isotopes are separated, the test
for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis
method is limited to alpha-particle-emitting isotopes by choice
D 6001 Guide for Direct-Push Water Sampling for Geoen-
ofradiationdetector.Themostimportantoftheseradioisotopes
223 224 226
vironmental Investigations
are Ra, Ra,and Ra.Thelowerlimitofconcentrationto
-2
which this test method is applicable is 3.7 3 10 Bq/L
3. Terminology
(1 pCi/L).
3.1 Definition:
1.2 This test method may be used for absolute measure-
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, see
ments by calibrating with a suitable alpha-emitting radioiso-
226
Terminologies C 859 and D 1129. For terms not included in
tope such as Ra, or for relative methods by comparing
these, reference may be made to other published glossaries (1,
measurements with each other. Mixtures of radium isotopes
3
226
2).
may be reported as equivalent Ra. Information is also
provided from which the relative contributions of radium
4. Summary of Test Method
isotopes may be calculated.
4.1 Radium is collected from the water by coprecipitation
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
with mixed barium and lead sulfates. The barium and lead
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
carriers are added to a solution containing alkaline citrate ion
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
which prevents precipitation until interchange has taken place.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Sulfuric acid is then used to precipitate the sulfates, which are
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For a specific
purified by nitric acid washes. The precipitate is dissolved in
precautionary statement, see Section 9.
ammoniacal EDTA. The barium and radium sulfates are
2. Referenced Documents reprecipitated by the addition of acetic acid, thereby separating
2 them from lead and other radionuclides. The precipitate is
2.1 ASTM Standards:
dried on a planchet, weighed to determine the chemical yield,
C 859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
and alpha-counted to determine the total disintegration rate of
D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water
alpha-particle-emitting radium isotopes. This procedure is
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
based upon published ones (3, 4).
D 1943 Test Method for Alpha Particle Radioactivity of
Water
5. Significance and Use
D 2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
5.1 Radium is one of the most radiotoxic elements. Its
Applicable Methods of Committee D-19 on Water
isotope of mass 226 is the most hazardous because of its long
D 3370 PracticesforSamplingWaterfromClosedConduits
half-life.The isotopes 223 and 224, although not as hazardous,
D 3454 Test Method for Radium-226 in Water
are of some concern in appraising the quality of water.
5.2 The alpha-particle-emitting isotopes of radium other
than that of mass 226 may be determined by difference if
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water radium-226 is measured separately, such as by Test Method
226 223
andisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD19.04onMethodsofRadiochemi-
D 3454. Note that one finds Ra and Ra together in
cal Analysis.
224
variable proportions (5, 6), but Ra does not normally occur
Current edition approved June 1, 2005. Published December 2005. Originally
223
with them. Thus, Ra often may be determined by simply
approved in 1966. Replaces D 2460–66 T. Last previous edition approved in 1997
as D 2460–97.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
the ASTM website. this standard.
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D2460–05
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