The determination of uranium in environmental samples using extraction chromatography

Many traditional methods for the determination of actinides in environmental samples have involved several solvent extraction and/or ion exchange steps that separate the radionuclide of interest from the bulk sample matrix. These methods are generally labor-intensive employ hazardous substances and generate considerable volume of toxic wastes. Extraction chromatographic resins have been developed that combine the power and selectivity of solvent extraction with the ease of use of ion exchange chromatographic resin. Some of these extraction chromatographic resins have been developed that will selectively sorb a particular radionuclide or groups of radionuclides from solution. A considerable amount of interest has recently been shown in these resins as they are claimed to be cost-effective in terms of increasing sample throughput, eliminating the need for expensive solvent extractants and being generally safer to handle. One such commercially available resin, U/TEVA.Spec(R) will selectively absorb uranium and tetravalent actinides such as thorium and plutonium from an acidic nitrate solution. This paper describes the application of U/TEVA.Spec(R) to the determination of uranium in a range of environmental samples.