DETERMINATION OF LOW-LEVEL TC-99 IN ENVIRONMENTAL-SAMPLES BY HIGH-RESOLUTION ICP-MS

An analytical method has been developed for the determination of low-level Tc-99 in environmental samples by High Resolution ICP-MS. The method consists of leaching of Tc-99 by HNO3 and separation by three different solvent extractions with 30% TOA-xylene, MEK, and cyclohexanone. Finally, purification of Tc-99 was made by using an anion exchange resin column to reduce dissolved solids content. The final solution was adjusted to 1M HNO3 for introducing into the HR-ICP-MS. The accuracy and precision of the method was confirmed to be satisfactory by applying this technique to the determination of Tc-99 in IAEA marine algae sample (AG-B-1). Measurements of Tc-99 using 0.5 - 2.5 g of sediment samples from the Irish Sea, UK, were successfully performed by the present method.