Biomaterial Database

Determination of the gross activity of uranium, plutonium, americium and strontium in environmental samples using solid-state scintillation. 2018

Jiří Janda, and Jitka Tichá

University of Defence, NBC Defence Institute, Vita Nejedleho, Vyskov, CZ, Czech Republic. Electronic address: jiri.janda@unob.cz.

Rapid determination of selected gross alpha and beta emitters in environmental matrices by solid-state scintillation technique is discussed. This method is based on sample treatment using microwave reactor and direct measurement of digested products using powder scintillator and alkaline solution as a substitute for traditional liquid scintillation cocktail. The selected group of radionuclides was chosen with respect to their use in nuclear industry, high radiotoxicity, and the possibility of potential misuse. The work aimed at verifying the connection of microwave decomposition using alkaline solution with solid-state scintillation using a powder scintillator YAP:Ce together with an alkaline medium.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011005	Plutonium	A naturally radioactive element of the actinide metals series. It has the atomic symbol Pu, and atomic number 94. Plutonium is used as a nuclear fuel, to produce radioisotopes for research, in radionuclide batteries for pacemakers, and as the agent of fission in nuclear weapons.
D011834	Radiation Monitoring	The observation, either continuously or at intervals, of the levels of radiation in a given area, generally for the purpose of assuring that they have not exceeded prescribed amounts or, in case of radiation already present in the area, assuring that the levels have returned to those meeting acceptable safety standards.	Monitoring, Radiation
D011848	Radioactive Pollutants	Radioactive substances which act as pollutants. They include chemicals whose radiation is released via radioactive waste, nuclear accidents, fallout from nuclear explosions, and the like.	Pollutants, Radioactive
D000576	Americium	A completely man-made radioactive actinide with atomic symbol Am, and atomic number 95. Its valence can range from +3 to +6. Because of its nonmagnetic ground state, it is an excellent superconductor. It is also used in bone mineral analysis and as a radiation source for radiotherapy.
D012588	Scintillation Counting	Detection and counting of scintillations produced in a fluorescent material by ionizing radiation.	Scintillation Counters,Counter, Scintillation,Counters, Scintillation,Counting, Scintillation,Scintillation Counter
D013326	Strontium Radioisotopes	Unstable isotopes of strontium that decay or disintegrate spontaneously emitting radiation. Sr 80-83, 85, and 89-95 are radioactive strontium isotopes.	Radioisotopes, Strontium
D014501	Uranium	A radioactive element of the actinide series of metals. It has an atomic symbol U, atomic number 92, and atomic weight 238.03. U-235 is used as the fissionable fuel in nuclear weapons and as fuel in nuclear power reactors.