Significance and Use
This test method provides the speed and high decontamination factors attainable with liquid-liquid extraction of the actinides and eliminates filtration techniques that are more time
consuming.
This test method provides a precise determination of americium in concentrations normally found in environmental samples.
1. Scope
1.1 This method covers the determination of americium 241 in soil by means of chemical separations and alpha spectrometry. It is designed to analyze up to ten grams of soil or other sample
matrices that contain up to 30 mg of combined rare earths. This method allows the determination of americium 241 concentrations from ambient levels to applicable standards. The values stated
in SI units are to be regarded as standard.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precaution statements, see Section
10.
2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.
ASTM Standards
C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
C998 Practice for Sampling Surface Soil for Radionuclides
C999 Practice for Soil Sample Preparation for the Determination of Radionuclides
C1163 Practice for Mounting Actinides for Alpha Spectrometry Using Neodymium Fluoride
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D3084 Practice for Alpha-Particle Spectrometry of Water
D3648 Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity
Keywords
alpha spectrometry; Americium241; coprecipitation; neodymium fluoride mounting; organic extraction; pyrosulfate fusion;
ICS Code
ICS Number Code 27.120.30 (Fissile materials and nuclear fuel technology)
DOI: 10.1520/C1205-07R12
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.
ASTM C1205