2016 Volume 16 Pages 15-21
A rapid and convenient chemical separation method for determining 90Sr activity in aerosol samples using Empore™ Strontium Rad Disks was established. The method employ ed solid-phase extraction and ion-exchange chromatography, and achieved a Sr yield of > 80%. Furthermore, it completely eliminated 210Pb, which interferes with 90Sr radiation counting. Sample pretreatment, chemical separation and Cherenkov light measurement required approximately 4 h, 2.5 h, and 14 days, respectively, to achieve a detection limit of 0.004 Bq. Using the developed method, the 90Sr concentration and 90Sr/137Cs activity ratio in aerosol samples collected after the Fukushima nuclear accident were determined.
