ASTM C1387-08

Standard Guide for the Determination of Technetium-99 in Soil

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This guide offers several options for the determination of Tc-99 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 Tc-99 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 Tc-99 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 Tc-99 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 units of measurement are included in this standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Jul-2008
• ICS: 13.080.10 - Chemical characteristics of soils
• Technical Committee: C26 - Nuclear Fuel Cycle
• Drafting Committee: C26.05 - Methods of Test

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C1387-03 - Standard Guide for the Determination of Technetium-99 in Soil
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2008
• Referred By: ASTM C1475-17 - Standard Guide for Determination of Neptunium-237 in Soil
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D8026-16 - Standard Practice for Determination of Tc-99 in Water by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2008

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: C1387 − 08
StandardGuide 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 4. Summary of Guide
1.1 This guide is intended to serve as a reference for
4.1 There are no stable isotopes of technetium.
laboratories wishing to perform Tc-99 analyses in soil. Several Technetium-99 is produced by the fission of uranium and
options are given for selection of a tracer and for the method of
plutonium, and has been released to the environment via
extracting the Tc from the soil matrix. Separation of Tc from
nuclear weapons testing and nuclear materials processing. In
the sample matrix is performed using an extraction chroma-
an oxidizing environment, it exists as the very mobile pertech-
–
tography resin. Options are then given for the determination of
netate ion, TcO . Technetium-99 is a long-lived (half-life
4
the Tc-99 activity in the original sample. It is up to the user to
213,000 years), weak beta (beta max of 293 keV) emitting
determine which options are appropriate for use, and to
radioisotope.
generate acceptance data to support the chosen procedure.
4.2 For the analysis of Tc-99 in soil, a tracer is added to the
1.2 Due to the various extraction methods available, various
sample matrix, or spiked duplicate samples are prepared, and
tracers used, variable detection methods used, and lack of
then the Tc is extracted from the soil matrix by one of several
certified reference materials for Tc-99 in soil, there is insuffi-
methods, including acid leaching or one of various fusion
cient data to support a single method written as a standard
methods.The resulting solution is passed through an extraction
method.
chromatography column. Technetium is known to be retained
by the extraction chromatography material while most other
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
elements pass through the column. The column is washed with
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
dilute acid to remove any remaining interferents. The resin
standard.
may then be counted directly by adding it to a liquid scintil-
lation cocktail and counting by liquid scintillation
2. Referenced Documents
spectrometry, or the Tc may be eluted from the resin for
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
alternative counting or mass spectrometric techniques.
C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
C998 Practice for Sampling Surface Soil for Radionuclides
5. Significance and Use
C999 Practice for Soil Sample Preparation for the Determi-
5.1 This guide offers several options for the determination
nation of Radionuclides
of Tc-99 in soil samples. Sample sizes of up to 200 g are
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
possible, depending on the method chosen to extract Tc from
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
the soil matrix. It is up to the user to determine if it is
Sieves
appropriate for the intended use of the final data.
3. Terminology
6. Interferences
3.1 For definitions of terms in this guide, refer to Terminol-
ogy C859. 6.1 Any radionuclide not completely removed by the ex-
traction chromatography column that has a beta decay energy
similar to or higher than Tc-99 will interfere when counting
techniques are used for quantification of the Tc-99 activity.
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear Fuel
Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of Test.
6.2 Any elements with a mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of 99
Current edition approved July 15, 2008. Published August 2008. Originally
(that is, naturally occurring isotope of Ru-99, or other artifi-
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as C1387 – 03. DOI:
10.1520/C1387-08.
cially produced elements of sufficient half-life with similar
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
m/z) can interfere when using mass spectrometry for quantifi-
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
cation of the Tc-99 activity.Any element with the same m/z as
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. the isotope used as an isotope dilution tracer or internal
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C1387 − 08
standard will cause a bias in the yield correction. Corrections [Example: Add 10 nCi of Tc-99m as a yield tracer when
sho
...

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:C 1387–03 Designation: C 1387 – 08
Standard Guide for
1
the Determination of Technetium-99 in Soil
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1387; 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 documentguide is intended to serve as a reference for laboratories wishing to perform Tc-99 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 Tc-99
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 Tc-99 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 units of measurement are included in this standard.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C 859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
C998 Sampling Surface Soil for Radionuclides 998 Practice for Sampling Surface Soil for Radionuclides
C 999 Practice for Soil Sample Preparation for the Determination of Radionuclides
D1193 Standard Specification for Reagent Water 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
E 11 Specification for Wire-cloth Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing Purposes
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms in this guide, refer to Terminology C 859.
4. Summary of Guide
3.1There4.1 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 213,000 years), weak
4
beta (beta max of 293 keV) emitting radioisotope.
3.2For the analysis of Tc-99 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 one of several methods, including acid leaching or one of various fusion methods. The
resulting solution is passed through an extraction chromatography column. Technetium is known to be retained by the extraction
chromatography material while most other elements pass through the column. The column is washed with dilute acid to remove
any remaining interferents. The resin may then be counted directly by adding it to a liquid scintillation cocktail and counting by
liquid scintillation spectrometry, or the Tc may be eluted from the resin for alternative counting or mass spectrometric techniques.
4.Significance and Use
4.1This guide offers several options for the determination of Tc-99 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.
4.2 For the analysis of Tc-99 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 one of several methods, including acid leaching or one of various fusion methods. The
resulting solution is passed through an extraction chromatography column. Technetium is known to be retained by the extraction
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 July 10, 2003.15, 2008. Published August 2003.2008. Originally approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 19982003 as
C1387–98.C 1387 – 03.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
, Vol 12.01. 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.
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