ASTM C1001-11
(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, 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 C998 and C999, 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 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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. Specific hazard statements are given in Section 9.
General Information
Relations
Buy Standard
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: C1001 − 11
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.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D3084Practice for Alpha-Particle Spectrometry of Water
D3648Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity
1.1 This test method covers the determination of plutonium
D7282Practice for Set-up, Calibration, and Quality Control
in soils at levels of detection dependent on count time, sample
of Instruments Used for Radioactivity Measurements
size, detector, background, and tracer yield. This test method
describes one acceptable approach to the determination of
3. Summary of Test Method
plutonium in soil.
3.1 Plutonium is extracted from the soil with a mixture of
1.2 This test method is designed for 10 g of soil, previously
nitric, hydrofluoric, and hydrochloric acids in the presence of
collectedandtreatedasdescribedinPracticesC998andC999,
242 236
Pu or Pu isotopic tracer (See Appendix for purification
but sample sizes up to 50 g may be analyzed by this test 236
and standardization of Pu tracer). Plutonium is isolated by
method. This test method may not be able to completely
anion exchange, then electrodeposited onto a polished metal
dissolve all forms of plutonium in the soil matrix.
diskfordeterminationbyalphaspectrometry.Asanoption,the
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
plutonium may be prepared for alpha spectrometry measure-
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information ment by using coprecipitation with neodymium fluoride. The
only.
range of chemical yield is between 40 and 90%. The test
3
method is based on a published procedure (1).
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Significance and Use
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1 Asoil sampling and analysis program provides a direct
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
means of determining the concentration and distribution of
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazard
radionuclides in soil. A soil analysis program has the most
statements are given in Section 9.
significance for the preoperational monitoring program to
2. Referenced Documents
establish baseline concentrations prior to the operation of a
2
nuclear facility. Soil analysis, although useful in special cases
2.1 ASTM Standards:
involving unexpected releases, is a poor technique for assess-
C859Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
ing small incremental releases and is therefore not recom-
C998Practice for Sampling Surface Soil for Radionuclides
mended as a method for routine monitoring releases of
C999Practice for Soil Sample Preparation for the Determi-
radioactivematerial.Nevertheless,becausesoilisanintegrator
nation of Radionuclides
and a reservoir of long-lived radionuclides, and serves as an
C1163PracticeforMountingActinidesforAlphaSpectrom-
intermediary in several of the plutonium pathways of potential
etry Using Neodymium Fluoride
importance to humans, knowledge of the concentration of
C1284Practice for Electrodeposition of the Actinides for
plutonium in soil is essential.
Alpha Spectrometry
D1193Specification for Reagent Water
5. Apparatus
5.1 Electrodeposition Apparatus (2), see Practice C1284.
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeC26onNuclear
Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of 5.2 Alpha Spectrometer, capable of 40 to 50 keV resolution
Test.
on actual samples electrodeposited on a flat, mirror-finished
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 2011. Published February 2011. Originally
metal planchet, and a fractional counting efficiency greater
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as C1001–05. DOI:
than 17%, and a background less than 0.010 cpm over each
10.1520/C1001-11.
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 Theboldfacenumbersinparenthesesrefertothelistofreferencesattheendof
the ASTM website. this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C1001 − 11
designated energy region. Resolution is defined as the full 6.13 IronCarriersolution(10gIron(III)/L)—Dissolve10
...
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:C1001–05 Designation:C1001–11
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.
1. 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,detector, 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 C998 and C999, 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
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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. Specific hazard statements are given in Section 9.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards: 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
C1163 Practice for Mounting Actinides for Alpha Spectrometry Using Neodymium Fluoride
C1284 Practice for Electrodeposition of the Actinides for Alpha Spectrometry
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D3084 Practice for Alpha-Particle Spectrometry of Water
D3648 Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity
D7282 Practice for Set-up, Calibration, and Quality Control of Instruments Used for Radioactivity Measurements
3. Summary of Test Method
3.1 Plutonium is extracted from the soil with a mixture of nitric, hydrofluoric, and hydrochloric acids in the presence of
242 236 236
Pu or Pu isotopic tracer (See Appendix for purification and standardization of Pu tracer). Plutonium is isolated by anion
exchange, then electrodeposited onto a polished metal disk for determination by alpha spectrometry.As an option, the plutonium
may be prepared for alpha spectrometry measurement by using coprecipitation with neodymium fluoride. The range of chemical
3
yield is between 40 and 90 %. The test method is based on a published procedure (1) .
4. Significance and Use
4.1 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
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Test Methods.
Current edition approved June 1, 2005. Published July 2005. Originally approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as C1001–00. DOI:
10.1520/C1001-05.on Methods of Test.
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 2011. Published February 2011. Originally approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as C1001 – 05. DOI:
10.1520/C1001-11.
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
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C1001–11
for routine monitoring releases of radioactive material. Nevertheless, because soil is an integrator and a reservoi
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.