ASTM C1387-03
(Guide)Standard Guide for the Determination of Technetium-99 in Soil
Standard Guide for the Determination of Technetium-99 in Soil
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This guide offers several options for the determination of Tc-99 in soil samples. Sample sizes of up to 200 g are possible, depending on the method chosen to extract Tc from the soil matrix. It is up to the user to determine if it is appropriate for the intended use of the final data.
SCOPE
1.1 This document is intended to serve as a reference for laboratories wishing to perform Tc-99 analyses in soil. Several options are given for selection of a tracer and for the method of extracting the Tc from the soil matrix. Separation of Tc from the sample matrix is performed using an extraction chromatography resin. Options are then given for the determination of the Tc-99 activity in the original sample. It is up to the user to determine which options are appropriate for use, and to generate acceptance data to support the chosen procedure.
1.2 Due to the various extraction methods available, various tracers used, variable detection methods used, and lack of certified reference materials for Tc-99 in soil, there is insufficient data to support a single method written as a standard method.
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Designation:C 1387–03
Standard Guide for
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the Determination of Technetium-99 in Soil
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1387; 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 then the Tc is extracted from the soil matrix by one of several
methods, including acid leaching or one of various fusion
1.1 This document is intended to serve as a reference for
methods.The resulting solution is passed through an extraction
laboratories wishing to perform Tc-99 analyses in soil. Several
chromatography column. Technetium is known to be retained
options are given for selection of a tracer and for the method of
by the extraction chromatography material while most other
extracting the Tc from the soil matrix. Separation of Tc from
elements pass through the column. The column is washed with
the sample matrix is performed using an extraction chroma-
dilute acid to remove any remaining interferents. The resin
tography resin. Options are then given for the determination of
may then be counted directly by adding it to a liquid scintil-
the Tc-99 activity in the original sample. It is up to the user to
lation cocktail and counting by liquid scintillation spectrom-
determine which options are appropriate for use, and to
etry, or the Tc may be eluted from the resin for alternative
generate acceptance data to support the chosen procedure.
counting or mass spectrometric techniques.
1.2 Due to the various extraction methods available, various
tracers used, variable detection methods used, and lack of
4. Significance and Use
certified reference materials for Tc-99 in soil, there is insuffi-
4.1 This guide offers several options for the determination
cient data to support a single method written as a standard
of Tc-99 in soil samples. Sample sizes of up to 200 g are
method.
possible, depending on the method chosen to extract Tc from
2. Referenced Documents the soil matrix. It is up to the user to determine if it is
appropriate for the intended use of the final data.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2
C 998 Sampling Surface Soil for Radionuclides
5. Interferences
C 999 Soil Sample Preparation for the Determination of
2
5.1 Any radionuclide not completely removed by the ex-
Radionuclides
3 traction chromatography column that has a beta decay energy
D 1193 Standard Specification for Reagent Water
similar to or higher than Tc-99 will interfere when counting
E 11 Specification for Wire-cloth Sieves for Testing Pur-
4 techniques are used for quantification of the Tc-99 activity.
poses
5.2 Any elements with a mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of 99
3. Summary of Guide (that is, naturally occurring isotope of Ru-99, or other artifi-
cially produced elements of sufficient half-life with similar
3.1 There are no stable isotopes of technetium.
m/z) can interfere when using mass spectrometry for quantifi-
Technetium-99 is produced by the fission of uranium and
cation of the Tc-99 activity.Any element with the same m/z as
plutonium, and has been released to the environment via
the isotope used as an isotope dilution tracer or internal
nuclear weapons testing and nuclear materials processing. In
standard will cause a bias in the yield correction. Corrections
an oxidizing environment, it exists as the very mobile pertech-
–
should be included in the mass spectrometry data reduction for
netate ion, TcO . Technetium-99 is a long-lived (half-life
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known interferences.
213,000 years), weak beta (beta max of 293 keV) emitting
5.3 Additional interferences may be encountered, depend-
radioisotope.
ing on the tracer and measurement technique chosen. It is up to
3.2 For the analysis of Tc-99 in soil, a tracer is added to the
the user to determine and correct for any additional interfer-
sample matrix, or spiked duplicate samples are prepared, and
ences.
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This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear Fuel
6. Apparatus
Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of Test.
6.1 Apparatus for the Extraction of Tc from Sample Matrix:
Current edition approved July 10, 2003. Published August 2003. Originally
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as C 1387–98.
6.1.1 See the individual extraction method descriptions to
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 12.01.
compile a list of the equipment needed for the chosen extrac-
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01.
4 tion method.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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