Determination of 237NP and Pu isotopes in large soil samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

new method for the determination of Np-237 and Pu Isotopes in large soil samples has been developed that provides enhanced uranium removal to facilitate assay by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) This method allows rapid preconcentration and separation of plutonium and neptunium in large soil samples for the measurement of Np-237 and Pu isotopes by ICP-MS U-238 can interfere with Pu-239 measurement by ICP-MS as (UH+)-U-238 mass overlap and Np-237 via U-238 peak tailing The method provides enhanced removal of uranium by separating Pu and Np initially on TEVA Resin then transferring Pu to DGA resin for additional purification The decontamination factor for removal of uranium from plutonium for this method is greater than 1 x 10(6) Alpha spectrometry can also be applied so that the shorter-lived Pu-238 isotope can be measured successfully Pu-239 Pu-242 and Np-237 were measured by ICP-MS while Pu-236 and Pu-238 were measured by alpha spectrometry (C) 2010 Elsevier B V All rights reserved