Summary of Method

Strontium is separated and concentrated from up to 200g tissue samples. Samples are digested with aqua regia, wet ashed with HNO3-H2O2 and muffled over night at 550oC to destroy organic content. Strontium is separated from matrix impurities and potentially interfering radionuclides in the sample using stacked 2mL and 1mL 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 stable strontium or ICP-AES measurement. Average chemical recoveries of strontium are 74-89% for 200g samples of catfish, bass, red drum, mullet, sea trout. Average strontium recoveries for 100 gram samples of deer, hog, bream and shellfish are 83-96%. A single operator can complete the sample preparation, including 16 hours for muffling, for 12-24 samples in less than 24 hours.