Improved sample preparation method for environmental plutonium analysis by ICP-SFMS and alpha-spectrometry

A rapid and simple sample preparation method for plutonium determination in environmental samples by inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry ( ICP- SFMS) and alpha- spectrometry is described. The developed procedure involves a selective CaF2 co- precipitation for preconcentration followed by extraction chromatographic separation. The proposed method effectively eliminates the possible interferences in mass spectrometric analysis and also removes interfering radionuclides that may disturb alpha- spectrometric measurement. For Pu-239, Pu-240 and Pu-241 limits of detection of 9.0 fg. g(-1) ( 0.021 mBq), 1.7 fg. g(-1) ( 0.014 mBq) and 3.1 fg. g(-1) ( 11.9 mBq) were achieved by ICP- SFMS, respectively, and 0.02 mBq by alpha- spectrometry. Results of certified reference materials agreed well with the recommended values.