A new analytical approach for 226 Ra and 228 Ra in environmental waters

Abstract

The concentration of Ra isotopes in environmental water can be determined from the amount of Ra isotopes recovered in two successive batch operations using a cation exchange resin. The present analytical method is applicable to 10 liter of sample water having a Ra concentration larger than 10 mBq/l and is also applicable to ordinary underground water of less than 1 mBq/l by use of 50 liter of sample water. In the case where Ra concentration is extremely low, Mn-impregnated acrylic fiber can be used with a larger volume of water sample as an absorbent by soaking it in the water.