Rapid determination of 210Po in water samples

A new rapid method for the determination of Po-210 in water samples has been developed at the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) that can be used for emergency response or routine water analyses. If a radiological dispersive device event or a radiological attack associated with drinking water supplies occurs, there will be an urgent need for rapid analyses of water samples, including drinking water, ground water and other water effluents. Current analytical methods for the assay of Po-210 in water samples have typically involved spontaneous auto-deposition of Po-210 onto silver or other metal disks followed by counting by alpha spectrometry. The auto-deposition times range from 90 min to 24 h or more, at times with yields that may be less than desirable. If sample interferences are present, decreased yields and degraded alpha spectrums can occur due to unpredictable thickening in the deposited layer. Separation methods have focused on the use of Sr Resin (TM), often in combination with Pb-210 analysis. A new rapid method for Po-210 in water samples has been developed at the SRNL that utilizes a rapid calcium phosphate co-precipitation method, separation using DGA Resin(A (R)) (N,N,N',N' tetraoctyldiglycolamide extractant-coated resin, Eichrom Technologies or Triskem-International), followed by rapid microprecipitation of Po-210 using bismuth phosphate for counting by alpha spectrometry. This new method can be performed quickly with excellent removal of interferences, high chemical yields and very good alpha peak resolution, eliminating any potential problems with the alpha source preparation for emergency or routine samples. A rapid sequential separation method to separate Po-210 and actinide isotopes was also developed. This new approach, rapid separation with DGA resin plus microprecipitation for alpha source preparation, is a significant advance in radiochemistry for the rapid determination of Po-210.