Standard Test Method for Alpha Particle Radioactivity of Water 

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method was developed for the purpose of measuring gross alpha radioactivity in water. It is used for the analysis of both process and environmental water to determine gross alpha activity which is often a result of natural radioactivity present in minerals.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of alpha particle activity of water. It is applicable to nuclides that emit alpha particles with energies above 3.9 MeV and at activity levels above 0.02 Bq/mL (540 pCi/L) of radioactive homogeneous water. This test method is not applicable to samples containing alpha-emitting radionuclides that are volatile under conditions of the analysis.
1.2 This test method can be used for either absolute or relative determinations. In tracer work, the results may be expressed by comparison with a standard that is defined to be 100 %. For radioassay, data may be expressed in terms of alpha disintegration rates after calibration with a suitable standard. General information on radioactivity and measurement of radiation has been published and summarized in Practice D3648.
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.

General Information

Status
Historical
Publication Date
31-May-2012
Technical Committee
Current Stage
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ASTM D1943-05(2012) - Standard Test Method for Alpha Particle Radioactivity of Water 
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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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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
Designation: D1943 − 05 (Reapproved 2012)
Standard Test Method for
1
Alpha Particle Radioactivity of Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1943; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope D2777Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of alpha
D3370Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
particle activity of water. It is applicable to nuclides that emit
D3648Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity
alpha particles with energies above 3.9 MeV and at activity
levels above 0.02 Bq/mL (540 pCi/L) of radioactive homoge-
3. Terminology
neous water. This test method is not applicable to samples
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
containing alpha-emitting radionuclides that are volatile under
method, refer to Terminology D1129. For terms not defined in
conditions of the analysis.
this test method or in Terminology D1129, reference may be
4
1.2 This test method can be used for either absolute or
made to other published glossaries.
relative determinations. In tracer work, the results may be
4. Summary of Test Method
expressed by comparison with a standard that is defined to be
100%.Forradioassay,datamaybeexpressedintermsofalpha 4.1 The test sample is reduced by evaporation or a suitable
chemical method to the minimum weight of material having
disintegration rates after calibration with a suitable standard.
General information on radioactivity and measurement of measurable alpha activity. Alpha radioactivity is measured by
2
aninstrumentcomposedofadetectingdevice,amplifier,power
radiation has been published and summarized in Practice
D3648. supply, and scaler—the most widely used being proportional
and scintillation counters. In the proportional counter, which
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
maybeofthewindowlessorthinwindowtype,alphaparticles
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
entering the sensitive region of the detector produce ionization
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
of the counting gas.The negative ion of the original ion pair is
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
accelerated towards the anode, producing additional ionization
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
of the counting gas and developing a voltage pulse at the
anode.Inthescintillationdetector,alphaparticlesinteractwith
2. Referenced Documents
3 the material of the phosphor, transferring some of their energy
2.1 ASTM Standards:
to electrons. These electrons subsequently lose part of their
D1129Terminology Relating to Water
energy by excitation rather than ionization of atoms, and the
D1193Specification for Reagent Water
excited atoms revert to the ground state by re-emitting energy
in the form of light quanta. A suitable light-sensitive device,
1
usually a multiplier phototube, transforms the resulting flashes
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D19 on Water
andisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD19.04onMethodsofRadiochemi-
of light into voltage impulses. By use of suitable electronic
cal Analysis.
apparatus, the pulse is amplified to a voltage sufficient for
Current edition approved June 1, 2012. Published August 2012. Originally
operationofthecountingscaler.Thenumberofpulsesperunit
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D1943–05. DOI:
10.1520/D1943-05R12.
time is related to the disintegration rate of the test sample.The
2
Friedlander, G., et al., Nuclear and Radiochemistry, 3rd Ed., John Wiley and
efficiency of the system can be determined by use of a suitable
Sons, Inc., New York, NY, 1981.
alpha standard having equivalent residual plated solids.
Price,W.J., Nuclear Radiation Detection,2ndEd.,McGraw-HillBookCo.,Inc.,
New York, NY, 1964.
5. Significance and Use
Lapp, R. E., and Andrews, H. L., Nuclear Radiation Physics, 4th Ed.,
Prentice-Hall Inc., New York, NY, 1972.
5.1 This test method was developed for the purpose of
Overman,R.T.,andClark,H.M., Radioisotope Techniques,McGraw-HillBook
measuring gross alpha radioactivity in water. It is used for the
Co., Inc., New York, NY, 1960.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
4
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM American National Standard Glossary of Terms in Nuclear Science and
Standards volume information, refer to
...

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