ASTM C1001-05
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Radiochemical Determination of Plutonium in Soil by Alpha Spectroscopy
Standard Test Method for Radiochemical Determination of Plutonium in Soil by Alpha Spectroscopy
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
A soil sampling and analysis program provides a direct means of determining the concentration and distribution of radionuclides in soil. A soil analysis program has the most significance for the preoperational monitoring program to establish baseline concentrations prior to the operation of a nuclear facility. Soil analysis, although useful in special cases involving unexpected releases, is a poor technique for assessing small incremental releases and is therefore not recommended as a method for routine monitoring releases of radioactive material. Nevertheless, because soil is an integrator and a reservoir of long-lived radionuclides, and serves as an intermediary in several of the plutonium pathways of potential importance to humans, knowledge of the concentration of plutonium in soil is essential.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of plutonium in soils at levels of detection dependent on count time, sample size, detector efficiency, background, and tracer yield. This test method describes one acceptable approach to the determination of plutonium in soil.
1.2 This test method is designed for 10 g of soil, previously collected and treated as described in Practices C 998 and C 999, but sample sizes up to 50 g may be analyzed by this test method. This test method may not be able to completely dissolve all forms of plutonium in the soil matrix.
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. Specific hazard statements are given in Section 9.
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Designation:C1001–05
Standard Test Method for
Radiochemical Determination of Plutonium in Soil by Alpha
1
Spectroscopy
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1001; 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.
242 236
1. Scope Pu or Pu isotopic tracer (See Appendix for purification
236
and standardization of Pu tracer). Plutonium is isolated by
1.1 This test method covers the determination of plutonium
anion exchange, then electrodeposited onto a polished metal
in soils at levels of detection dependent on count time, sample
disk for determination by alpha spectrometry.As an option, the
size, detector efficiency, background, and tracer yield.This test
plutonium may be prepared for alpha spectrometry measure-
methoddescribesoneacceptableapproachtothedetermination
ment by using coprecipitation with neodymium fluoride. The
of plutonium in soil.
range of chemical yield is between 40 and 90 %. The test
1.2 This test method is designed for 10 g of soil, previously
3
method is based on a published procedure (1).
collected and treated as described in Practices C998 and C999,
but sample sizes up to 50 g may be analyzed by this test
4. Significance and Use
method. This test method may not be able to completely
4.1 A soil sampling and analysis program provides a direct
dissolve all forms of plutonium in the soil matrix.
means of determining the concentration and distribution of
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
radionuclides in soil. A soil analysis program has the most
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
significance for the preoperational monitoring program to
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
establish baseline concentrations prior to the operation of a
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
nuclear facility. Soil analysis, although useful in special cases
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazard
involving unexpected releases, is a poor technique for assess-
statements are given in Section 9.
ing small incremental releases and is therefore not recom-
2. Referenced Documents mended as a method for routine monitoring releases of
2
radioactive material. Nevertheless, because soil is an integrator
2.1 ASTM Standards:
and a reservoir of long-lived radionuclides, and serves as an
C998 Practice for Sampling Surface Soil for Radionuclides
intermediary in several of the plutonium pathways of potential
C999 Practice for Soil Sample Preparation for the Determi-
importance to humans, knowledge of the concentration of
nation of Radionuclides
plutonium in soil is essential.
C1163 Practice for Mounting Actinides for Alpha Spec-
trometry Using Neodymium Fluoride
5. Apparatus
C1284 Practice for Electrodeposition of the Actinides for
5.1 Electrodeposition Apparatus (2), see Practice C1284.
Alpha Spectrometry
5.2 Alpha Spectrometer, capable of 40 to 50 keV resolution
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
on actual samples electrodeposited on a flat, mirror-finished
D3084 Practice for Alpha-Particle Spectrometry of Water
metal planchet, and a counting efficiency greater than 17 %,
D3648 Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity
and a background less than 0.010 cpm over each designated
3. Summary of Test Method energy region. Resolution is defined as the full width half
maximum (FWHM) in keV, the distance between those points
3.1 Plutonium is extracted from the soil with a mixture of
on either side of the alpha peak where the count is equal to
nitric, hydrofluoric, and hydrochloric acids in the presence of
one-half the maximum count. Also see Practices D3084 and
D3648.
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 Test NOTE 1—Aregular program of measurement control operations should
Methods.
be conducted for the alpha spectrometry system, such as regular back-
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2005.PublishedJuly2005.Originallyapproved
ground checks, source check to determine system stability, control
in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as C1001 – 00. DOI: 10.1520/
charting, and careful handling of samples during changing.
C1001-05.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
the ASTM website. this standard.
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