ASTM C999-05(2010)e1

Standard Practice for Soil Sample Preparation for the Determination of Radionuclides

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Soil samples prepared for radionuclide analyses by this practice can be used to monitor fallout distribution from nuclear facilities. This practice is intended to produce a homogeneous sample from which a relatively small aliquot (10 g) may be drawn for radiochemical analyses.
Most nuclear facilities fulfill major requirements of their monitoring programs by gamma-ray spectrometry measurements of soil. A widely used practice for these measurements is to fill a calibrated sample container, such as a Marinelli beaker (∼600-mL volume), with a homogenized soil sample. By preparing the entire soil core collection, sufficient homogeneous sample is available for radiochemical and gamma-ray spectrometry measurements.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the preparation of surface soil samples collected for chemical analysis of radionuclides, particularly uranium and plutonium. This practice describes one acceptable approach to the preparation of soil samples for radiochemical analysis.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. A specific hazard statement is given in 6.3.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2010
• ICS: 13.080.05 - Examination of soils in general
• Technical Committee: C26 - Nuclear Fuel Cycle
• Drafting Committee: C26.05 - Methods of Test

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C999-05 - Standard Practice for Soil Sample Preparation for the Determination of Radionuclides
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2010
• Replaced By: ASTM C999-17 - Standard Practice for Soil Sample Preparation for the Determination of Radionuclides
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2017
• Referred By: ASTM C1475-17 - Standard Guide for Determination of Neptunium-237 in Soil
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2010
• Referred By: ASTM E1893-15(2021) - Standard Guide for Selection and Use of Portable Radiological Survey Instruments for Performing In Situ Radiological Assessments to Support Unrestricted Release from Further Regulatory Controls
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2010
• Referred By: ASTM C1402-17 - Standard Guide for High-Resolution Gamma-Ray Spectrometry of Soil Samples
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2010
• Referred By: ASTM C1205-20 - Standard Test Method for The Radiochemical Determination of Americium-241 in Soil by Alpha Spectrometry
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2010
• Referred By: ASTM C1387-23 - Standard Guide for the Determination of Technetium-99 in Soil
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2010
• Referred By: ASTM C1001-19 - Standard Test Method for Radiochemical Determination of Plutonium in Soil by Alpha Spectroscopy
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2010
• Referred By: ASTM C1507-20 - Standard Test Method for Radiochemical Determination of Strontium-90 in Soil
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2010
• Referred By: ASTM C1000-19 - Standard Test Method for Radiochemical Determination of Uranium Isotopes in Soil by Alpha Spectrometry
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2010

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
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Designation: C999 − 05 (Reapproved 2010)
Standard Practice for
Soil Sample Preparation for the Determination of
Radionuclides
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C999; 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.
´ NOTE—Editorial changes were made throughout in June 2010.
1. Scope nuclear facilities. This practice is intended to produce a
homogeneoussamplefromwhicharelativelysmallaliquot(10
1.1 This practice covers the preparation of surface soil
g) may be drawn for radiochemical analyses.
samples collected for chemical analysis of radionuclides,
particularly uranium and plutonium. This practice describes 4.2 Mostnuclearfacilitiesfulfillmajorrequirementsoftheir
one acceptable approach to the preparation of soil samples for monitoring programs by gamma-ray spectrometry measure-
radiochemical analysis. mentsofsoil.Awidelyusedpracticeforthesemeasurementsis
to fill a calibrated sample container, such as a Marinelli beaker
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
(;600-mL volume), with a homogenized soil sample. By
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
preparing the entire soil core collection, sufficient homoge-
only.
neous sample is available for radiochemical and gamma-ray
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
spectrometry measurements.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5. Apparatus
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5.1 Scale, capacity of 10 kg.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. A specific hazard
5.2 Drying Oven, able to maintain 62°C.
statement is given in 6.3.
5.3 Pans, disposable aluminum.
2. Referenced Documents
5.4 Jar Mill, capacity for 7.57-L (2-gal) cans.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.5 Steel Cans and Lids, 7.57-L (2-gal).
C998Practice for Sampling Surface Soil for Radionuclides
13 13
E11Specification forWovenWireTest Sieve Cloth andTest
5.6 Ceramic Rods, 21 by 21-mm ( ⁄16 by ⁄16-in.) or steel
Sieves
grinding balls, 25.4-mm (1-in.) diameter.
5.7 Sieve, U.S. Series No. 35 (500-µm or 32 mesh).
3. Summary of Practice
5.8 Plastic Bottles, 7.57-L (2-gal).
3.1 Guidance is provided for the preparation of a homoge-
neous soil sample from ten composited core samples (aggre-
6. Procedure
gateweightof4to5kg)collectedastoberepresentativeofthe
6.1 Label a cleaned 7.57-L (2–gal) steel can and lid with a
area.
unique laboratory code number.
4. Significance and Use
6.2 Weigh the labeled steel can and lid. Record the weight.
4.1 Soil samples prepared for radionuclide analyses by this
6.3 Transfer the ten soil cores (including vegetation) from
practice can be used to monitor fallout distribution from
the field collection containers into the labeled, preweighed
steel can. Do not pack the can full. Place the steel lid loosely
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear
on the can. (Warning—Wear gloves throughout the prepara-
Fuel Cycleand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of
tionproceduretominimizethepossibilityoffungusinfection.)
Test.
Current edition approved June 1, 2010. Published June 2010. Originally
6.4 Weigh the sample cores, steel can, and lid to 650 g.
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as C999–05. DOI:
Record the weight.
10.1520/C0999-05R10E01.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
6.5 Remove the lid and place the sample in a 110°C drying
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
oven for 24 h or longer, depending on the depth of soil in the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. can, until the sample has reached constant weight.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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C999 − 05 (2010)
6.6 Remove the sample from the oven, cap the can with its 7. Calculation
lid, and cool to room temperature.
7.1 Wet Weight of the Composited Soil Cores—The wet
weight(W)ofthecompositedsoilcoresistheweightmeasured
6.7 Weigh the dried sample cores, steel can, and lid to 650
prior to oven-drying the cores as follows:
g. Record the weight.
W 5 T 2 C (1)
6.8 Remove the can lid and add 10 to 12 ceramic rods (21
by 21-mm) or steel balls (25.4–mm diameter) to the can.
where:
6.9 Replace the lid and tightly seal the sample can.
W = wet weight of the composited soil cores, g,
T = weight of the soil cores, steel can, and lid, g (from 6.4),
6.10 Place the sample can on a jar mill for at least 4 h, or
and
overnight if possible, at 30 r/min.
C = weight of the empty steel can and lid, g (from 6.2).
6.11 Remove the sample can from the mill and place in a
7.2 Dry Weight of the Composited Soil Cores—The dry-
hood.
weight(D)ofthecompositedsoilcoresistheweightmeasured
6.12 Allow the sample to settle for a few minutes.
after drying the cores at 110°C as follows:
6.13 Label a 7.57-L (2-gal) plastic jar and cap with the
D 5 N 2 C (2)
laboratory code number of the sample.
where:
6.14 Remove the lid from the sample can and transfer a
D = dry (110°C) weight of the soil cores, g,
portion of the sample to a U.S. Series No. 35 (500-µm or 32
N = weightofthedried(110°C)soilcores,steelcan,andlid,
mesh) sieve.
g (from 6.7), and
C = weight
...