Precise and accurate isotopic analysis of microscopic uranium-oxide grains using LA-MC-ICP-MS

Nicholas S. Lloyd; Randall R. Parrish; Matthew S. A. Horstwood; Simon R. N. Chenery

doi:10.1039/b819373h

Precise and accurate isotopic analysis of microscopic uranium-oxide grains using LA-MC-ICP-MS

Nicholas S. Lloyd, Randall R. Parrish, Matthew S. A. Horstwood, Simon R. N. Chenery

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Uranium isotope (²³⁵U, ²³⁶U, ²³⁸U) ratios were determined for microscopic uranium-oxide grains using laser-ablation multi-collector inductively-coupled-plasma mass-spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS). The grains were retrieved from contaminated soil and dust samples. The analytical technique utilised is rapid, requires minimal sample preparation, and is well suited for nuclear forensic applications. Precision and accuracy were assessed by replicate analyses of natural uraninite grains: relative uncertainty for ²³⁵U/²³⁸U is 0.2% (2σ), and the mean is in agreement with the natural ratio. A total of 115 uranium-oxide grains were analysed from environmental samples (soils and dusts); all of these were depleted uranium (DU) from a factory that produced uranium articles. Knowledge of the range of isotope ratios from particles of this controversial contaminant has proven useful when interpreting isotope ratios from bulk samples. Variation of the measured isotope signatures reveals details of the history of uranium processing and emissions.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	752-758
Journal	Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry
Volume	24
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1039/b819373h
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 2009

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title = "Precise and accurate isotopic analysis of microscopic uranium-oxide grains using LA-MC-ICP-MS",

abstract = "Uranium isotope (235U, 236U, 238U) ratios were determined for microscopic uranium-oxide grains using laser-ablation multi-collector inductively-coupled-plasma mass-spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS). The grains were retrieved from contaminated soil and dust samples. The analytical technique utilised is rapid, requires minimal sample preparation, and is well suited for nuclear forensic applications. Precision and accuracy were assessed by replicate analyses of natural uraninite grains: relative uncertainty for 235U/238U is 0.2% (2σ), and the mean is in agreement with the natural ratio. A total of 115 uranium-oxide grains were analysed from environmental samples (soils and dusts); all of these were depleted uranium (DU) from a factory that produced uranium articles. Knowledge of the range of isotope ratios from particles of this controversial contaminant has proven useful when interpreting isotope ratios from bulk samples. Variation of the measured isotope signatures reveals details of the history of uranium processing and emissions.",

author = "Lloyd, {Nicholas S.} and Parrish, {Randall R.} and Horstwood, {Matthew S. A.} and Chenery, {Simon R. N.}",

year = "2009",

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doi = "10.1039/b819373h",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Precise and accurate isotopic analysis of microscopic uranium-oxide grains using LA-MC-ICP-MS

AU - Lloyd, Nicholas S.

AU - Parrish, Randall R.

AU - Horstwood, Matthew S. A.

AU - Chenery, Simon R. N.

PY - 2009/1/1

Y1 - 2009/1/1

N2 - Uranium isotope (235U, 236U, 238U) ratios were determined for microscopic uranium-oxide grains using laser-ablation multi-collector inductively-coupled-plasma mass-spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS). The grains were retrieved from contaminated soil and dust samples. The analytical technique utilised is rapid, requires minimal sample preparation, and is well suited for nuclear forensic applications. Precision and accuracy were assessed by replicate analyses of natural uraninite grains: relative uncertainty for 235U/238U is 0.2% (2σ), and the mean is in agreement with the natural ratio. A total of 115 uranium-oxide grains were analysed from environmental samples (soils and dusts); all of these were depleted uranium (DU) from a factory that produced uranium articles. Knowledge of the range of isotope ratios from particles of this controversial contaminant has proven useful when interpreting isotope ratios from bulk samples. Variation of the measured isotope signatures reveals details of the history of uranium processing and emissions.

AB - Uranium isotope (235U, 236U, 238U) ratios were determined for microscopic uranium-oxide grains using laser-ablation multi-collector inductively-coupled-plasma mass-spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS). The grains were retrieved from contaminated soil and dust samples. The analytical technique utilised is rapid, requires minimal sample preparation, and is well suited for nuclear forensic applications. Precision and accuracy were assessed by replicate analyses of natural uraninite grains: relative uncertainty for 235U/238U is 0.2% (2σ), and the mean is in agreement with the natural ratio. A total of 115 uranium-oxide grains were analysed from environmental samples (soils and dusts); all of these were depleted uranium (DU) from a factory that produced uranium articles. Knowledge of the range of isotope ratios from particles of this controversial contaminant has proven useful when interpreting isotope ratios from bulk samples. Variation of the measured isotope signatures reveals details of the history of uranium processing and emissions.

U2 - 10.1039/b819373h

DO - 10.1039/b819373h

M3 - Article

SN - 0267-9477

VL - 24

SP - 752

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JO - Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry

JF - Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry

IS - 6

ER -

Precise and accurate isotopic analysis of microscopic uranium-oxide grains using LA-MC-ICP-MS

Abstract

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