Determination of ultratrace concentrations of uranium and thorium in natural waters by x-ray fluorescence [electronic resource].

Published:: Oak Ridge, Tenn. : Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1981.
Oak Ridge, Tenn. : Distributed by the Office of Scientific and Technical Information, U.S. Dept. of Energy.
Physical Description:: Pages: 9 : digital, PDF file
Additional Creators:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory and United States. Department of Energy. Office of Scientific and Technical Information

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Summary:

An x-ray fluorescence method for the simultaneous determination of uranium and thorium at the less than 1 ppM level in natural waters is described. Uranium and thorium are coprecipitated with an internal standard, yttrium, and incorporated into an iron-aluminum hydroxide carrier. The hydroxide precipitate is filtered, and the filter disk is analyzed by the energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence technique. Matrix interferences caused by the presence of unpredictable anions and cations are compensated for by the internal standard. The U/Y and Th/Y ratios are linear over the 5- to 100-..mu..g range of interest, and the detection limit of each element on the filter disk is 2 ..mu..g (3 sigma). Relative standard deviation was 17% at the 15-..mu..g and 4% at the 100-..mu..g level for thorium and 11% at the 11-..mu..g and 2% at the 100-..mu..g level for uranium. Analysis of spiked solutions showed a recovery of 19.6 +- 0.3 ..mu..g for uranium and 19.8 +- 0.3 ..mu..g for thorium at the 20-..mu..g level, and the normal lower reporting limit is 5 ..mu..g. Fifty disks can be routinely measured during a normal working day.

Report Numbers:

E 1.99:conf-810647-6
conf-810647-6

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Note:

Published through SciTech Connect.
01/01/1981.
"conf-810647-6"
"DE81023230"
Conference on X- and gamma-ray sources and applications, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 10 Jun 1981.
Stewart, J.H. Jr.; Brooksbank, R.D.

Funding Information:

W-7405-ENG-26

View MARC record | catkey: 14397464