ASTM D3972-02
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Isotopic Uranium in Water by Radiochemistry
Standard Test Method for Isotopic Uranium in Water by Radiochemistry
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method was developed to measure the radioactivity of uranium isotopes in environmental waters or waters released to the environment, and to determine whether the uranium-isotope concentrations are below the maximum amounts allowable by any regulatory statute.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of alpha-particle-emitting isotopes of uranium in water by means of chemical separations and alpha pulse-height analysis (also known as alpha-particle spectrometry). Uranium is chemically separated from a water sample by coprecipitation with ferrous hydroxide, anion exchange, and electrodeposition. The test method applies to soluble uranium as well as to any uranium that might be present in suspended matter in the water sample. This test method is applicable for uranium processing effluents as well as substitute ocean water. When suspended matter is present, an acid dissolution step is added to assure that all of the uranium dissolves. It is the user's responsibility to ensure the validity of this test method for waters of untested matrices.
1.2 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. Specific warning statements are given in Section 9.
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Designation:D3972–02
Standard Test Method for
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Isotopic Uranium in Water by Radiochemistry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3972; 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 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method covers the determination of alpha- 3.1 Definitions:
particle-emitting isotopes of uranium in water by means of 3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer
chemical separations and alpha pulse-height analysis (also to Terminologies C 859 and D 1129. For terms not included in
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known as alpha-particle spectrometry). Uranium is chemically these reference may be made to other published glossaries.
separated from a water sample by coprecipitation with ferrous
4. Summary of Test Method
hydroxide, anion exchange, and electrodeposition. The test
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method applies to soluble uranium as well as to any uranium 4.1 The water sample to be analyzed is acidified and U
is added to serve as an isotopic tracer before any additional
that might be present in suspended matter in the water sample.
This test method is applicable for uranium processing effluents operations are performed. If the sample is a seawater sample,
or if it contains carbonate or bicarbonate ions, the sample must
as well as substitute ocean water. When suspended matter is
present, an acid dissolution step is added to assure that all of be boiled under acidic conditions to convert these ions to
carbon dioxide gas which is then expelled from the solution.
the uranium dissolves. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure
the validity of this test method for waters of untested matrices. Carbonate ions must not be present during the precipitation
step because they complex the uranium and prevent its
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the coprecipitation.The uranium is coprecipitated from the sample
with ferrous hydroxide. This precipitate is dissolved in con-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- centrated hydrochloric acid, or is subjected to an acid dissolu-
tion with concentrated nitric and hydrofluoric acids if the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific warning
statements are given in Section 9. hydrochloric acid fails to dissolve the precipitate.
4.2 The uranium is separated from other radionuclides by
2. Referenced Documents
adsorption on anion-exchange resin from 8 M hydrochloric
2.1 ASTM Standards: acid, followed by elution with 0.1 M hydrochloric acid. The
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C 859 Terminology Relating To Nuclear Materials uranium is electrodeposited onto a stainless steel disk. Isotopic
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D 1066 Practice for Sampling Steam uranium radioactivities are measured by alpha pulse-height
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D 1129 Terminologies Relating to Water analysiswithasiliconsurface-barrierorion-implanteddetector
D 1192 Guide for Equipment for SampingWater and Steam and a multichannel analyzer.
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in Closed Conduits 4.3 When U is used as the tracer, the other isotopes of
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D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water uranium listed in Table 1 can be detected in the alpha-particle
D 2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of spectrum of an unknown sample. From the alpha energies
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Applicable Methods of Committee D19 on Water given in the table, it can be seen that the alpha energy of U
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D 3084 Practice for Alpha-Particle Spectrometry of Water is more than 0.40 MeV higher than the energy of any other
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D 3370 Practices for Sampling Water uranium isotope. Thus, there should be little interference from
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D 3648 Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity tailingofthe Uintothelowerenergyalphapeaks. Uand
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D 5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications U usually cannot be resolved because their principal alpha
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for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis energies differ by only 0.04 MeV. U and U peaks can be
resolved only with difficulty. The alpha peaks from other
combinations of uranium isotopes can be resolved unless the
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quality of the finally prepared sample is poor.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water
andisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD19.04onMethodsofRadiochemi-
cal Analysis.
Current edition approved Feb. 10, 2002. Published May 2002. Originally
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published as D 3972 – 80. Last previous edition D 3972 – 97. Parker, S. P., ed., McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Chemical Terms, McGraw-Hill
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Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 12.01. Book Co., New York, NY, 1985.
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Annual Bo
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