Rapid ultratrace determination of 89,90Sr in environmental samples by collinear laser resonance ionization spectrometry / Schneller, empfindlicher Spurennachweis von 89,90Sr in Umweltproben mit kollinearer Laser-Resonanzionisations-Spektrometrie.

Abstract

A fast non-radiometric technique for ultratrace analysis of 89 Sr and 90 Sr in environmental samples has been developed by combining mass separation with collinear laser resonance ionization spectroscopy. The efficiency and isotopic selectivity of this method allows the determination of 3 x 10 6 atoms of 90 Sr (2 mBq) and 1 x 10 8 atoms of 89 Sr (15 Bq) in the presence of up to 10 17 atoms of stable strontium, corresponding to an overall efficiency of 10 -5 and a suppression of stable strontium of better than 10 10 . The combination of this technique with a rapid chemical separation procedure based on column chromatography with a crown ether enables determination of 89,90 Sr in various types of environmental samples within one day, which is important in case of an emergency. The results for different environmental and technical samples, including aerosol filters, soil, grass, and milk as well as cooling water from a nuclear power plant are presented, indicating the potential and versatility of the technique.