Effect of matrix constituents on the determination of plutonium and americium in bone
Date
2019
Authors
Nguyen, Nhung Thi Nho, author
Sudowe, Ralf, advisor
Johnson, Thomas, committee member
Borch, Thomas, committee member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
There are numerous methods available in the literature for separating and analyzing radionuclides of interest from an array of environmental matrices. The quality of these methods can be affected by the stable elements that are commonly found in many of these samples. The presence of such interfering constituents can result in incomplete separation of the radioisotopes of interest as well as a reduced rate of recovery. This is especially the case when complex matrices such as samples of bone and bone ash are analyzed. Plutonium and americium tend to concentrate in bone, they are therefore often referred to as bone seekers. They accumulate in actively metabolizing portions of bones of mammals including humans. It is therefore extremely important to study and evaluate the accumulation of these radionuclides in human bone by analyzing bone samples. However, calcium, which is present in high concentrations in the hydroxyapatite that constitutes the bone, as well as sodium and potassium, have the potential to strongly affect the efficacy of radiochemical separation methods. The objective of this research is to investigate the influence of the major and minor elemental constituents present in bone on the affinity of plutonium and americium for a variety of commercial extraction chromatographic resins.