A new method based on selective fluorescent polymers (PSresin) for the analysis of 90Sr in presence of 210Pb in environmental samples

90Sr is of major concern in emergency and environmental control plans. It is one of the main fission products in nuclear facilities and is a high-energy beta emitter that presents chemical properties similar to those of calcium. 90Sr is commonly detected using methods based on liquid scintillation c...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Giménez Guerra, Isaac; Rotger, J.; Apellániz, E.; Bagán Navarro, Héctor; Tent Petrus, Joana Ma.; Rigol Parera, Anna; Tarancón Sanz, Alex
Format: Article
Status:Published version
Publication date:2023
Country:España
Institution:Universidad de Barcelona
Repository:Dipòsit Digital de la UB
OAI Identifier:oai:diposit.ub.edu:2445/206674
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/206674
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Polímers
Escintil·ladors líquids
Gestió ambiental
Polymers
Liquid scintillators
Environmental management
Description
Summary:90Sr is of major concern in emergency and environmental control plans. It is one of the main fission products in nuclear facilities and is a high-energy beta emitter that presents chemical properties similar to those of calcium. 90Sr is commonly detected using methods based on liquid scintillation counting (LSC) following a chemical separation to remove potential interferences. However, these methods generate mixed wastes (hazardous and radioactive). In recent years, an alternative strategy using PSresins has been developed. For 90Sr analysis with PSresins, 210Pb is the main interferent that should be considered, as it is also strongly retained in the PSresin. In this study, a procedure was developed involving a precipitation with iodates to separate lead from strontium before the PSresin separation. Moreover, the method developed was compared with well-established and routinely used methods based on LSC, revealing that the new method produced equivalent results in less time and with less waste generation.