Uranium trace analysis

Abbasi SA. 1989. Atomic absorption spectrometric and spectrophotometric trace analysis of uranium in environmental samples with N-p-methoxyphenyl-2-furylacrylohydroxamic acid and 4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol. Intern J Environ Anal Chem 36 163-172. 

Trace analysis of uranium can be carried out using a variety of radiometric techniques. The least sensitive method is gamma analysis of short-lived daughter products, for example, the " Th daughter t /2 = 24.1 days) of U. Short-lived daughter isotopes are in secular equilibrium with their parent isotope, vm-less they have been chemically separated, and the activity of " Th is therefore exactly the same as that of the long-lived parent. 

Finally, in Chapter 5, we delve into the exciting realm of trace analysis and nuclear forensics that can yield information on the source, nature, use (and abuse) of uranium, which in some cases can be based on meticulous analysis of a single grain or particle. 

Cation-exchange chromatography in combination with a postcolumn derivatization is also suitable for analyzing uranium and thoriiun [46]. Because both elements are actinides and in close relation with lanthanides, they are always associated with them. Due to the lack of simple and sensitive colorimetric methods, the trace analysis of these elements represents a challenge. Although alternative analytical methods for these elements such as neutron activation analysis (NAA) [47] and ICP-MS [48] are described in literature, they are not suitable for routine analysis and are prone to interferences. Major interferences include... 

The neutrons in a research reactor can be used for many types of scientific studies, including basic physics, radiological effects, fundamental biology, analysis of trace elements, material damage, and treatment of disease. Neutrons can also be dedicated to the production of nuclear weapons materials such as plutonium-239 from uranium-238 and tritium, H, from lithium-6. Alternatively, neutrons can be used to produce radioisotopes for medical diagnosis and treatment, for gamma irradiation sources, or for heat energy sources in space. 

Holzbecker and Ryan [825] determined these elements in seawater by neutron activation analysis after coprecipitation with lead phosphate. Lead phosphate gives no intense activities on irradiation, so it is a suitable matrix for trace metal determinations by neutron activation analysis. Precipitation of lead phosphate also brings down quantitatively the insoluble phosphates of silver (I), cadmium (II), chromium (III), copper (II), manganese (II), thorium (IV), uranium (VI), and zirconium (IV). Detection limits for each of these are given, and thorium and uranium determinations are described in detail. Gamma activity from 204Pb makes a useful internal standard to correct for geometry differences between samples, which for the lowest detection limits are counted close to the detector. 

Am with a half-life of ti = 432 a has to be determined in waste and environmental samples by mass spectrometry. The determination of 238Pu (ti 88 a) at the trace level is difficult in the presence of uranium due to isobaric interference with 238 U+ in mass spectra measured by ICP-MS or LA-ICP-MS. Therefore the application of a sensitive and selective technique such as RIMS or AMS is advantageous. The determination of 238Pu for plutonium isotope analysis in irradiated... 

Spark source (SSMS) and thermal emission (TEMS) mass spectrometry are used to determine ppb to ppm quantities of elements in energy sources such as coal, fuel oil, and gasoline. Toxic metals—cadmium, mercury, lead, and zinc— may be determined by SSMS with an estimated precision of 5%, and metals which ionize thermally may be determined by TEMS with an estimated precision of 1% using the isotope dilution technique. An environmental study of the trace element balance from a coal-fired steam plant was done by SSMS using isotope dilution to determine the toxic metals and a general scan technique for 15 other elements using chemically determined iron as an internal standard. In addition, isotope dilution procedures for the analysis of lead in gasoline and uranium in coal and fly ash by TEMS are presented. 

E. Rakowska and Z. Kublik Analytical Application of the Hanging Mercury Drop Electrode. IV. Analysis of Traces of Impurities in Uranium Salts. J. Electroanal. Chem. 1, 205 (1959/60). 

---