Separation of long-lived radionuclides which belong to uranium and actinium series was investigated by using an anion exchanger resin Dowex 1-X 8. Radioactive tracers (
237U,
233Pa,
234Th,
224Ra and
59Fe) were prepared by proper methods and used for examining the chemical behaviors of these elements on anion exchange resin. It was confirmed by a batch method that radium was not adsorbed on the oxalate form resin, while uranium, protactinium, thorium and iron were strongly adsorbed on the resin from various concentrations of oxalic acid solution (0.020.5
M). So, the separation of radium from these elements can be easily realized by passing oxalate solution through the column and washing with 0.5
M oxalic acid solution. Stepwise separation of adsorbed elements was studied by various eluents. Thorium can be eluted by passing 8
N HCl solution through the column, converting the resin form from oxalate to chloride. Then, by adding hydrofluoric acid to the eluent, protactinium can be easily eluted. Separation of uranium from iron had been difficult because of the similar behaviors of both elements on chloride form resin, but it was successfully accomplished by using a mixed medium of 6
N HCl-1
N HClO
4 as an eluent. Iron is adsorbed strongly on the column by this procedure. The consecutive separation method mentioned above is very simple and useful for the geochronological studies of fossil carbonate samples, uranium minerals, peat, etc.
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