Abstract
In the environmental sampling and analyses for safeguards, precise and accurate isotope ratio determination of uranium at trace levels is required for detection of undeclared nuclear activities. Currently, swipe (smear) samples are being taken by IAEA from the nuclear facilities. The amount of uranium collected on the cotton swipe is expected to be in the wide range including the order of nano-gram or less. In order to measure the isotope ratios by ICP-MS, we have studied sample preparation procedures for the trace amount of uranium. Elements causing spectroscopic and non-spectroscopic interferences in ICP-MS measurement were sufficiently removed by anion-exchange of hydrochloric acid media. The uranium contamination introduced throughout the process of sample preparation was below 10 pg uranium per sample. The applicability of the treatment process for uranium isotope measurement up to 100 pico-grams was proposed.
Published Version
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