ASTM C1255-11
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Analysis of Uranium and Thorium in Soils by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Standard Test Method for Analysis of Uranium and Thorium in Soils by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method was developed and the instrument calibrated using ground soils from the site of a nuclear materials plant. This test method can be used to measure the extent of contamination from uranium and thorium in ground soils. Since the detection limit of this technique (nominally 20 μg per gram) approaches typical background levels for these contaminants, the method can be used as a quick characterization of an on-site area to indicate points of contamination. Then after cleanup, EDXRF may be used to verify the elimination of contamination or other analysis methods (such as colorimetry, fluoremetry, phosphorescence, etc.) can be used if it is necessary to test for cleanup down to a required background level. This test method can also be used for the segregation of soil lots by established contamination levels during on-site construction and excavation.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrochemical analysis of trace levels of uranium and thorium in soils. Any sample matrix that differs from the general ground soil composition used for calibration (that is, fertilizer or a sample of mostly rock) would have to be calibrated separately to determine the effect of the different matrix composition.
1.2 The analysis is performed after an initial drying and grinding of the sample, and the results are reported on a dry basis. The sample preparation technique used incorporates into the sample any rocks and organic material present in the soil. This test method of sample preparation differs from other techniques that involve tumbling and sieving the sample.
1.3 Linear calibration is performed over a concentration range from 20 to 1000 μg per gram for uranium and thorium.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units in parentheses are for information only.
1.5 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.
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Designation: C1255 − 11
Standard Test Method for
Analysis of Uranium and Thorium in Soils by Energy
1
Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1255; 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.
3
1. Scope and Construction Purposes (Withdrawn 2011)
D1452PracticeforSoilExplorationandSamplingbyAuger
1.1 This test method covers the energy dispersive X-ray
Borings
fluorescence(EDXRF)spectrochemicalanalysisoftracelevels
D1586Test Method for Penetration Test (SPT) and Split-
ofuraniumandthoriuminsoils.Anysamplematrixthatdiffers
Barrel Sampling of Soils
from the general ground soil composition used for calibration
D1587Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils for
(thatis,fertilizerorasampleofmostlyrock)wouldhavetobe
Geotechnical Purposes
calibrated separately to determine the effect of the different
D2113Practice for Rock Core Drilling and Sampling of
matrix composition.
Rock for Site Investigation
1.2 The analysis is performed after an initial drying and
D3550Practice for Thick Wall, Ring-Lined, Split Barrel,
grinding of the sample, and the results are reported on a dry
Drive Sampling of Soils
basis.Thesamplepreparationtechniqueusedincorporatesinto
D4697Guide for Maintaining Test Methods in the User’s
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the sample any rocks and organic material present in the soil.
Laboratory (Withdrawn 2009)
This test method of sample preparation differs from other
E135Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for
techniques that involve tumbling and sieving the sample.
Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
E305Practice for Establishing and Controlling Atomic
1.3 Linear calibration is performed over a concentration
Emission Spectrochemical Analytical Curves
range from 20 to 1000 µg per gram for uranium and thorium.
E456Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
E876Practice for Use of Statistics in the Evaluation of
3
standard.The inch-pound units in parentheses are for informa-
Spectrometric Data (Withdrawn 2003)
tion only.
E882Guide for Accountability and Quality Control in the
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the Chemical Analysis Laboratory
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 2.2 Other Document:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- ANSI/HPS N43.2-2001Radiation Safety for X-ray Diffrac-
4
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- tion and X-ray Fluorescence Equipment
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3. Terminology
2. Referenced Documents 3.1 Definitions:
2 3.1.1 For definitions of terms relating to the nuclear fuel
2.1 ASTM Standards:
cycle, refer to Terminology C859.
C859Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
3.1.2 For definitions of terms relating to analytical atomic
C998Practice for Sampling Surface Soil for Radionuclides
spectroscopy, refer to Terminology E135.
D420GuidetoSiteCharacterizationforEngineeringDesign
3.1.3 For definitions of terms relating to statistics refer to
Terminology E456.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeC26onNuclear
3.2.1 escape peak—a peak generated by an X-ray having
Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of
energy greater than 1.84 keV (the energy of the k-alpha
Test.
absorption edge for silicon) that enters the detector and causes
Current edition approved June 1, 2011. Published June 2011. Originally
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as C1255–93(2005).
DOI: 10.1520/C1255-11.
2 3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM www.astm.org.
4
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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C1255 − 11
the silicon detector crystal to fluoresce. If the silicon X-ray thorium: zinc (Zn), tungsten (W), lead (Pb), rubidium (Rb),
escapes the detector, carrying with it the energy of the silicon strontium (Sr), and yttrium (Y).
k-alpha X-ray, 2.79 E-16 Joules [J] (1.74 keV), the energy
6.2 Rubidium is the primary interference for ur
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:C1255–93(Reapproved2005) Designation: C1255 – 11
Standard Test Method for
Analysis of Uranium and Thorium in Soils by Energy
1
Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1255; 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
1.1 This test method covers the energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrochemical analysis of trace levels of
uranium and thorium in soils. Any sample matrix that differs from the general ground soil composition used for calibration (that
is, fertilizer or a sample of mostly rock) would have to be calibrated separately to determine the effect of the different matrix
composition.
1.2 The analysis is performed after an initial drying and grinding of the sample, and the results are reported on a dry basis. The
samplepreparationtechniqueusedincorporatesintothesampleanyrocksandorganicmaterialpresentinthesoil.Thistestmethod
of sample preparation differs from other techniques that involve tumbling and sieving the sample.
1.3 Linear calibration is performed over a concentration range from 20 to 1000 µg per gram for uranium and thorium.
1.4 ThevaluesstatedinSIunitsaretoberegardedasthestandard.Theinch-poundunitsinparenthesesareforinformationonly.
1.5 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C982Guide for Selecting Components for Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Systems 859 Terminology Relating
to Nuclear Materials
C998 Practice for Sampling Surface Soil for Radionuclides
D420 Guide to Site Characterization for Engineering Design and Construction Purposes
D1452 Practice for Soil Exploration and Sampling by Auger Borings
D1586 Test Method for Penetration Test (SPT) and Split-Barrel Sampling of Soils
D1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils for Geotechnical Purposes
D2113 Practice for Rock Core Drilling and Sampling of Rock for Site Investigation
D3550 Practice for Thick Wall, Ring-Lined, Split Barrel, Drive Sampling of Soils
D4697 Guide for Maintaining Test Methods in the User’s Laboratory
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
E305 Practice for Establishing and Controlling Atomic Emission Spectrochemical Analytical Curves
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
E876 Practice for Use of Statistics in the Evaluation of Spectrometric Data
E882 Guide for Accountability and Quality Control in the Chemical Analysis Laboratory
2.2 Other Document:
NBS Radiation Safety Handbook Number 111for X-Ray Diffraction and Fluorescence Analysis EquipmentANSI/HPS
3
N43.2-2001 Radiation Safety for X-ray Diffraction and X-ray Fluorescence Equipment
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1For definitions of terms relating to analytical atomic spectroscopy, refer to Terminology
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of Test.
Current edition approved June 1, 2005.2011. Published December 2005.June 2011. Originally approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 19992005 as
C1255–93(1999).C1255 – 93 (2005). DOI: 10.1520/C1255-93R05.10.1520/C1255-11.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899.
3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
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C1255 – 11
3.1.1 For definitions of terms relating to the nuclear fuel cycle, refer to Terminology C859.
3.1.2 For definitions of terms relating to analytical atomic spectroscopy
...
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