Rapid Determination of Sr in 1-2 Liter Seawater Samples
Published Time：2016-12-09
Summary of Method
Strontium is separated and concentrated from 1-2L samples of seawater with a calcium phosphate precipitation, enhanced with 200mg of iron. Strontium is separated from matrix impurities and potentially interfering radionuclides in the sample using two stacked 2mL cartridges of Eichrom Sr Resin. Radiostrontium is measured on a low background gas flow proportional counter or liquid scintillation counter. Chemical yield of strontium is determined by gravimetric recovery of native stable strontium in the seawater or by ICP-AES measurement. Average chemical recovery of strontium is 89 + 5% for 1L samples and 82 + 4% for 2L samples. Measured values of 90Sr agreed to within 1% and 4% of reference values, for 1L and 2L, respectively, with two hour count times. The minimum detectable activity for 90Sr for 2L samples with a two hour count time is 9.1Bq/L. A single operator can prepare batches of 12-24 samples for measurement of radiostrontium in less than 8 hours.
