Interlaboratory comoparison of analytical methods for the determination of natural series uranium and thorium isotopes in rock samples

A. Mackenzie; R. Scott; P. Linsalata; N. Miekeley; H. Coutinho de Jesus

doi:10.1007/bf02047962

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry

Volume/Issue:: Volume 182: Issue 1

Interlaboratory comoparison of analytical methods for the determination of natural series uranium and thorium isotopes in rock samples

Authors:

A. Mackenzie

A. Mackenzie Scottish Universitis Research and Reactgor Centre (SURRC) Glasgow (UK)

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R. Scott

R. Scott Scottish Universitis Research and Reactgor Centre (SURRC) Glasgow (UK)

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P. Linsalata

P. Linsalata Institute of Environmental Medicine New York University Medical Center Tuxedo New York (USA)

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N. Miekeley

N. Miekeley Department of Chemistry Pontifical Catholic University (PUC) Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

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, and

H. Coutinho de Jesus

H. Coutinho de Jesus Department of Chemistry Pontifical Catholic University (PUC) Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

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Pages:: 21–34

Online Publication Date:: 14 Aug 2005

Publication Date:: 17 Jul 1994

Article Category:: Research Article

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02047962

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Abstract

Results are repoerted for²³⁸U,²³⁴U,²³²Th, and²³⁰Th determinations in 19 rock samples from a uranium mine, performed independently, byb three different laboratories. Uranium and thorium isotopoic activities were determkined by alpha spectrometry, after different pre-concentration and counting sample preparation techniques., Additionally, total concentrations of uranium were determined by fluorimetry and gamma spectreometry. the folloing conclusions could be drawn from this intercomparison test: (1) The results for²³⁸U specific activity agreed with the amjority of results within 10%. Lincar correlation coefficients between the three data sets were 0.999. However, for a few samples of much higher uranium concentrations, large deviations were observed, indicating problems of, sample heterogencity. (2) For the²³⁴U/²³⁸U activity ratio data, a still closer agreement was obtained (5%), as computation of the activity ratios did not, require information on the yield of the used tracer spike (²³²U). (3) The results for²³²Th specific activities and²³⁰Th/²³⁴U activity ratios showed larger deviastions between the three laboratories (typically up to 15%, in some cases still ore). Different Th-isotopes (²²⁸Th,²³⁴Th and²²⁹Th) have been used as yield tracers. The data indicates, however, that the observed deviations are not simply a consequence of a systematic difference in the calibration of the different spikes, but, probably cased by other errors such as incomplete sample dissolution, sample heterogencity, tec. The limitations of alpha spectrometry will be discussed and an application of the developed methods shown.

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Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry

Print ISSN:: 0236-5731

Online ISSN:: 1588-2780

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Journal of Radionalytical and Nuclear Chemistry
Language	English
Size	A4
Year of Foundation	1968
Volumes per Year	1
Issues per Year	12
Founder	Akadémiai Kiadó
Founder's Address	H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
Publisher	Akadémiai Kiadó Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Publisher's Address	H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245. CH-6330 Cham, Switzerland Gewerbestrasse 11.
Responsible Publisher	Chief Executive Officer, Akadémiai Kiadó
ISSN	0236-5731 (Print)
ISSN	1588-2780 (Online)