Investigating the potential of tandem inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) for 41Ca determination in concrete

被引:8
作者
Russell, B. [1 ]
Mohamud, H. [1 ]
Miranda, M. Garcia [1 ]
Ivanov, P. [1 ]
Thompkins, H. [1 ]
Scott, J. [1 ]
Keen, P. [1 ]
Goddard, S. [2 ]
机构
[1] Natl Phys Lab, Nucl Metrol Grp, Hampton Rd, Teddington, Middx, England
[2] Natl Phys Lab, Air Qual & Aerosol Metrol Grp, Hampton Rd, Teddington, Middx, England
基金
欧盟地平线“2020”;
关键词
ENVIRONMENTAL-SAMPLES; SUPPORT; PU-239; SR-90; RATIO; SOIL; LSC; AMS;
D O I
10.1039/d1ja00027f
中图分类号
O65 [分析化学];
学科分类号
070302 ; 081704 ;
摘要
Concrete is a common structural material used in nuclear reactors for biological shielding, containment buildings, and waste storage ponds. Calcium is a significant component of concrete, with neutron activation of stable Ca-40 (96.94% abundance) leading to the production of Ca-41 (half-life 1.002(17) x 10(5) years). The long half-life combined with the significant amount of concrete at nuclear facilities makes Ca-41 a key radionuclide for characterisation of low and intermediate level waste, as well as for long-term waste monitoring. Measurement of Ca-41 by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is theoretically achievable, but has previously been prevented by multiple interferences, some of which cannot be removed by offline chemical separation. This study tests the potential of tandem ICP-MS/MS and its enhanced interference separation for the detection of Ca-41 in concrete samples. The instrument setup was initially optimised using stable element standards, with a combination of NH3, H-2 and He proving to be most effective, achieving an instrument detection limit of 0.32 Bq g(-1) (0.099 ng g(-1)). The procedure was validated on several concrete samples, which required the optimisation of automated borate fusion sample digestion and four-stage chemical separation, with recoveries of 73-77%. Successful detection of Ca-41 was achieved at activity concentrations down to 0.67 Bq g(-1) (0.21 ng g(-1)) at Ca-41/Ca-40 ratios of 10(-6)-10(-7). This represents the first known measurement of Ca-41 using ICP-MS, and recommendations are made on how instrument capabilities can be further improved so that routine measurement can be realised.
引用
收藏
页码:845 / 855
页数:11
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