Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 

About: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry is an academic journal published by Springer Science+Business Media. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Neutron activation analysis & Uranium. It has an ISSN identifier of 0236-5731. Over the lifetime, 23177 publications have been published receiving 212851 citations.

Analysis for naturally occuring radionuclides at environmental concentrations by gamma spectrometry

Abstract: The analytical potential of low level, high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry for naturally occurring radionuclides at environmental levels is described, with particular emphasis on detector background levels and sensitivity. Comparisons are drawn between the performance of a specially designed low background detector system, and that of standard “off the shelf” devices. Sample characteristics, calibration procedures and checks, are described, and empirical minimum detection limits of between 0.4 Bq·kg−1 (226Ra,228Th) and 10 Bq·kg−1 (210Pb) are derived for soil or sediment samples of about 250 g. Representative analyses of a variety of environmental samples, including water, plant material, animal tissue and sediment, are given to illustrate the routine use of the spectrometer.

Adsorption of cesium on minerals: A review

Abstract: The adsorption behavior of cesium on pure minerals is reviewed. Although this field has been investigated intensively, the data are extremely variable in scope and interpretation with detailed information being available for only a few minerals. In current investigations in this field, the emphasis is on the nature of the adsorption sites and identification of these sites using spectroscopic techniques. In the first section of this review, the general mechanism of cesium adsorption is discussed and this is followed by consideration of the effect of parameters such as cesium concentration, the properties of the mineral and the characteristics of the solution phase, on cesium adsorption. Finally, interaction of cesium with some different minerals is described in some detail.

User-friendly software for Mössbauer spectrum analysis

Abstract: A new user-friendly software for analysis of Mossbauer-spectra has been developed. The program makes use of the advantages provided by the current generation of fast personal computers. An Evolution Algorithm1,2 is used for global search of Mossbauer parameters in order to enhance the reliability of the obtained results. Fitting of Lorentzians, Pseudo-Voigt line profiles, and deriving hyperfine-field distributions including correlations and combinations and Mossbauer Line Sharpening by Fourier transformation provide a wide range of applicability.

Actinide speciation in the environment

Abstract: Nuclear test explosions and nuclear reactor wastes and accidents have released large amounts of radioactivity into the environment. Actinideions in waters often are not in a state of thermodynamic equilibrium and their solubility and migration behavior is related to the form in which the nuclides are introduced into the aquatic system. Chemical speciation, oxidation state, redox reactions, and sorption characteristics are necessary in predicting solubility of the different actinides, their migration behaviors and their potential effects on marine biota. The most significant of these variables is the oxidation state of the metal ion as the simultaneous presence of more than one oxidation state for some actinides in a solution complicates actinide environmental behavior. Both Np(V)O2 + and Pu(V)O2 +, the most significant soluble states in natural oxic waters, are relatively noncomplexing and resistant to hydrolysis and subsequent precipitation. The solubility of NpO2 + can be as high as 10−4M while that of PuO2 + is much more limited by reduction to the insoluble tetravalent species, Pu(OH)4, (pKsp≥56) but which can be present in the pentavalent form in aqautic phases as colloidal material. The solubility of hexavalent UO2 2+ in sea water is relatively high due to formation of carbonate complexes. The insoluble trivalent americium hydroxocarbonate, Am(OH)(CO3) is the limiting species for the solubility of Am(III) in sea water. Thorium(IV) is present as Th(OH)4, in colloidal form. The chemistry of actinide ions in the environment is reviewed to show the spectrum of reactions that can occur in natural waters which must be considered in assessing the environmental behavior of actinides. Much is understood about sorption of actinides on surfaces, the mode of migration of actinides in such waters and the potential effects of these radioactive species on marine biota, but much more understanding of the behavior of the actinides in the environment is needed to allow proper and reliable modeling needed for disposition of nuclear waste over many thousands of years.

A continuous monitor for assessment of 222Rn in the coastal ocean

Abstract: Radon-222 is a good natural tracer of groundwater flow into the coastalocean. Unfortunately, its usefulness is limited by the time consuming natureof collecting individual samples and traditional analysis schemes. We demonstratehere an automated system which can determine, on a “continuous”basis, the radon activity in coastal ocean waters. The system analyses 222Rn from a constant stream of water passing through an air-water exchangerthat distributes radon from the running flow of water to a closed air loop.The air stream is feed to a commercial radon-in-air monitor which determinesthe concentration of 222Rn by collection and measurement of theemitting daughters, 214Po and 218Po, via a charged semiconductordetector. Since the distribution of radon at equilibrium between the air andwater phases is governed by a well-known temperature dependence, the radonconcentration in the water is easily calculated.