ULTRATRACE ANALYSIS OF URANIUM AND PLUTONIUM BY MASS SPECTROMETRY

摘要

At the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), we have developed highly sensitive methods to analyse uranium and plutonium in environmental samples. Our most sensitive, well developed methodologies employ thermal ionization mass spectrometry. However, recent advances in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry have shown considerable promise for detecting uranium and plutonium at environmental levels. An overview is presented of the mass spectrometric methods used at PNNL to measure actinide elements in environmental samples. We compare these techniques and present results from recent studies that represent the techniques used.