Determination of radioisotopes in complex saline matrices using extraction chromatography and liquid scintillation counting

The retention of Pu-239 and Am-241 on six commercially available extraction chromatographic resins was investigated to determine the effect of matrix constituents commonly found within sea and ocean water on their uptake. It was found that the retention of Pu-239 and Am-241 on almost all of the resins from either nitric acid or hydrochloric acid system was not significantly affected by matrix constituents in artificial ocean water. However, the retention of Am-241 on DGA resin from nitric acid was found to be reduced by over two orders of magnitude in the presence of artificial ocean water.