SEQUENTIAL DETERMINATION OF NEPTUNIUM-237, PLUTONIUM-238, PLUTONIUM-239,240, AMERICIUM-241, AND CURIUM-244 IN PLANT MATERIAL

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Abstract
A procedure for the sequential determination of 237Np, 238Pu, 239,240Pu, 241Am and 244Cm in plant material Fe(OH)3. The plant sample was decomposed completely by a combination of dry ashing and wet digestion; the radionuclides were then coprecipitated with Fe(OH)3. Am-Cm, Pu and Np fractions were sequentially extracted with tri-isoocytylamine (TIAO). Excess salts were removed from the Am-Cm fraction by Fe(OH)3 precipitations in a 2-step procedure, using NH4OH and NaOH, followed by Fe removal by cation exchange. Trace amounts of Fe were removed from the Pu and Np fractions by ion exchange. Each fraction was electrodeposited and analyzed by .alpha.-spectrometry. Recovery for the Np fraction was .apprx. 80% and for Pu, Am and Cm, > 90%. Yields were corrected by recovery of added tracers.