ASTM C1387-23

Standard Guide for the Determination of Technetium-99 in Soil

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This guide offers several options for the determination of 99Tc 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 guide is intended to serve as a reference for laboratories wishing to perform 99Tc 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 99Tc 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 99Tc in soil, there is insufficient data to support a single method written as a standard method.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard, except where the non-SI unit of molar, M, is used for the concentration of chemicals and reagents. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.4 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2022
• ICS: 13.080.10 - Chemical characteristics of soils
• Technical Committee: C26 - Nuclear Fuel Cycle
• Drafting Committee: C26.05 - Methods of Test

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: C1387 − 23
Standard Guide for
1
the Determination of Technetium-99 in Soil
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1387; 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 C998 Practice for Sampling Surface Soil for Radionuclides
C999 Practice for Soil Sample Preparation for the Determi-
1.1 This guide is intended to serve as a reference for
99 nation of Radionuclides
laboratories wishing to perform Tc analyses in soil. Several
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
options are given for selection of a tracer and for the method of
99
D7168 Test Method for Tc in Water by Solid Phase Extrac-
extracting the Tc from the soil matrix. Separation of Tc from
tion Disk
the sample matrix is performed using an extraction chroma-
D8026 Practice for Determination of Tc-99 in Water by
tography resin. Options are then given for the determination of
99 Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-
the Tc activity in the original sample. It is up to the user to
MS)
determine which options are appropriate for use, and to
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
generate acceptance data to support the chosen procedure.
Sieves
1.2 Due to the various extraction methods available, various
tracers used, variable detection methods used, and lack of
3. Terminology
99
certified reference materials for Tc in soil, there is insufficient
3.1 For definitions of terms in this guide, refer to Terminol-
data to support a single method written as a standard method.
ogy C859.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard, except where the non-SI unit of molar, M, is used for
4. Summary of Guide
the concentration of chemicals and reagents. The values given
4.1 There are no stable isotopes of technetium.
in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only
Technetium-99 is produced by the fission of uranium and
and are not considered standard.
plutonium, and has been released to the environment via
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
nuclear weapons testing and nuclear materials processing. In
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
an oxidizing environment, it exists as the very mobile pertech-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- –
netate ion, TcO . Technetium-99 is a long-lived (half-life of
4
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
2.1 E+5 years), weak beta (maximum beta energy of 293 keV)
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
emitting radioisotope.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
99
4.2 For the analysis of Tc in soil, a tracer is added to the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
sample matrix, or spiked duplicate samples are prepared, and
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
then the Tc is extracted from the soil matrix by one of several
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
methods, including acid leaching or one of various fusion
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
methods. The resulting solution is passed through an extraction
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
chromatography column. Technetium is known to be retained
by the extraction chromatography material while most other
2. Referenced Documents
2 elements pass through the column. The column is washed with
2.1 ASTM Standards:
dilute acid to remove any remaining interferents. The resin
C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
may then be counted directly by adding it to a liquid scintil-
lation cocktail and counting by liquid scintillation
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear Fuel spectrometry, or the Tc may be eluted from the resin for
Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of Test.
alternative counting or mass spectrometric techniques.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2023. Published March 2023. Originally
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as C1387 – 14. DOI:
5. Significance and Use
10.1520/C1387-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5.1 This guide offers several options for the determination
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
99
of Tc in soil samples. Sample sizes of up to 200 g are
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Docum
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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: C1387 − 14 C1387 − 23
Standard Guide for
1
the Determination of Technetium-99 in Soil
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1387; 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
99
1.1 This guide is intended to serve as a reference for laboratories wishing to perform Tc 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
99
is performed using an extraction chromatography resin. Options are then given for the determination of the Tc 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
99
reference materials for Tc in soil, there is insufficient data to support a single method written as a standard method.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other standard, except where the non-SI unit of molar, M,units
of measurement are included in this is used for the concentration of chemicals and reagents. The values given in parentheses after
SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.4 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.
1.4 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
C998 Practice for Sampling Surface Soil for Radionuclides
C999 Practice for Soil Sample Preparation for the Determination of Radionuclides
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
99
D7168 Test Method for Tc in Water by Solid Phase Extraction Disk
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of Test.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2014Jan. 1, 2023. Published February 2014March 2023. Originally approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 20082014 as
C1387 – 08.C1387 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/C1387-14.10.1520/C1387-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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C1387 − 23
D8026 Practice for Determination of Tc-99 in Water by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms in this guide, refer to Terminology C859.
4. Summary of Guide
4.1 There are no stable isotopes of technetium. Technetium-99 is produced by the fission of uranium and plutonium, and has been
released to the environment via nuclear weapons testing and nuclear materials processing. In an oxidizing environment, it exists
–
as the very mobile pertechnetate ion, TcO . Technetium-99 is a long-lived (half-life of 2.1 E 5 E+5 years), weak beta (maximum
4
beta energy of 293 keV) emitting radioisotope.
99
4.2 For the analysis of Tc in soil, a tracer is added to the sample matrix, or spiked duplicate samples are prepared, and then the
Tc is extracted from the soil matrix by
...