Fast method for the determination of radiostrontium and plutonium isotopes in food samples

Abstract

Rapid radioanalytical methods are important in the case of a radiological emergency and for the defence against nuclear hazards, especially for pure alpha and beta emitters like 239/240Pu and 89Sr/90Sr. A new fast method was developed with an overall analysis time altogether around 11 h, for only strontium isotopes about 7 h. The method combines two extraction chromatography resins, DGA- and Sr-resin, to separate mainly strontium and plutonium. A broad variety of food samples with different fat, carbohydrate and protein contents were tested and successfully analysed. The yields obtained were typically around 95% and 70% for 90Sr and 242Pu.