Optimization of 210Pb determination via spontaneous deposition of 210Po on a silver disk

Critical comparison of radiometric and mass spectrometric methods for the determination of radionuclides in environmental, biological and nuclear waste samples

“…Several review articles have addressed the applications and limitations of ICP-MS for the determination of radionuclides [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. Because of the high sensitivity, short analysis time and relatively easy operation, ICP-MS has been widely used for the determination of isotopes of uranium, thorium, and plutonium, 79 Se, 90 Sr, 99 Tc, 129 I, 135 Cs, 210 Pb, 226 Ra, 228 Ra, 231 Pa, 237 Np, 241 Am, 243 Am, and 244 Cm in environmental and waste samples .…”

“…These inherent effects limiting the capability of isotope ratio measurements by TIMS can be considered by different internal calibration techniques or by using isotopic standard reference materials with well-known isotopic ratios for an element. Besides, U, Th and Pu, TIMS has also been used for many other radionuclides, such as 41 Ca, 241 Am, 242 Cm, 126 Sn, 226 Ra, 228 Ra [82,[90][91][92][93].…”

“…Because of the very low background counts and the high counting efficiency (30-40%), detection limits of 0.1-1 mBq, depending on the in-growth time, have been obtained [224,228]. The drawback of α-spectrometry is the long analytical time due to the waiting for in-growth of 210 Po.…”

“…This makes ICP-MS less attractive compared to radiometric methods, although a rapid analysis can be carried out by this technique. 226 Ra and 228 Ra originate from the naturally decay series of 238 U and 232 Th. Concentrations of 226 Ra and 228 Ra in typical soil samples are 1000 and 5 fg/g (or 30 and 50 mBq/g), respectively.…”

“…226 Ra and 228 Ra originate from the naturally decay series of 238 U and 232 Th. Concentrations of 226 Ra and 228 Ra in typical soil samples are 1000 and 5 fg/g (or 30 and 50 mBq/g), respectively. The interest in the determination of 226 Ra and 228 Ra comes not only from the radiation protection concern, but also from the application of them as environmental tracers.…”