Improvement of bulk analysis technique for uranium in environmental samples with high thorium contents

Abstract

Multi-channel inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and multi-collector ICPMS were used for effective bulk analysis techniques of environmental samples with high thorium contents. A desolvating nebulizer system was adopted to reduce the 232ThH/232Th formation rate, which was evaluated using U/Th mixture solution. A UTEVA-based chemical separation method, with adjustment of the separation parameters for uranium and thorium, allowed for effective separation of uranium. The separation yields for uranium and thorium were estimated from the elution profiles of various U/Th mixture solutions. Bulk analysis of uranium in simulated samples with high thorium contents was performed to validate the improved analytical procedures.