Rapid method for the determination of radiostrontium in milk

A radiochemical procedure comprising ion chromatography for preconcentration, oxalate precipitation for alkali/alkaline earth separation, strontium specific extraction chromatography with a crown ether for calcium/strontium separation, carbonate precipitation for counting on a low background proportional counter, provides a simple, rapid (48 h) and effective method for radiostrontium determination in emergency situation in milk. The separation scheme gives a strontium recovery rate of 62% and an empiric relative standard deviation of 11%. The detection limit for 500 ml milk and 3600-second counting time is 0.090 Bq.l-1.