Significance and Use

This test method is used to analyze soil for alpha-emitting uranium isotopes. It can be used to establish baseline uranium levels and to monitor depositions from nuclear facilities.

1. Scope

1.1 This test method covers the determination of alpha-emitting uranium isotopes in soil. This test method describes one acceptable approach to the determination of uranium isotopes in soil.

1.2 The test method is designed to analyze 10 g of soil; however, the sample size may be varied to 50 g depending on the activity level. This test method may not be able to completely dissolve all forms of uranium in the soil matrix. Studies have indicated that the use of hydrofluoric acid to dissolve soil has resulted in lower values than results using total dissolution by fusion.

1.3 The lower limit of detection is dependent on count time, sample size, detector, background, and tracer yield. The chemical yield averaged 78 % in a single laboratory evaluation, and 66 % in an interlaboratory collaborative study.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.5 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. A specific precautionary statement is given in 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

C1284 Practice for Electrodeposition of the Actinides for Alpha Spectrometry

D1193 Specification for Reagent Water

D3084 Practice for Alpha-Particle Spectrometry of Water

D3648 Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity

D7282 Practice for Set-up, Calibration, and Quality Control of Instruments Used for Radioactivity Measurements

Keywords

alpha spectrometry; radiochemistry; soil; uranium; Alpha spectrometry; Isotopic analysis; Radiochemical analysis; Uranium content; Soil (radioactive analysis) ;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 17.240 (Radiation measurements)

DOI: 10.1520/C1000-11

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

ASTM C1000