ASTM_C_1310_-_01_2007.pdf

Designation:C 1310 01(Reapproved 2007)Standard Test Method forDetermining Radionuclides in Soils by Inductively CoupledPlasma-Mass Spectrometry Using Flow InjectionPreconcentration1This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1310;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon(e)indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers a procedure for measuring99Tcand a procedure for measuring230Th and234U in soils.It isapplicable to background soils and soils that have beencontaminated by nuclear processes.It is intended as analternative to radiochemical methods because it is faster,requires less labor,and produces less waste than many radio-chemical methods.1.2 Samples are dried,ground,dissolved by fusion,andanalyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry(ICP-MS).Asequential flow injection(FI)technique is used toprovide lower detection limits than those obtained with directaspiration into an ICP-MS,and,in the case of99Tc,providesseparation from interferences.1.3 The230Th and234U procedure also would work for232Th,235U,and238U,but the FI preconcentration usually is notrequired to measure these isotopes at the concentrationstypically found in soils.1.4 This test method is guided by quality control proceduresderived from U.S.EPA procedures for inorganic analysisreported in SW-8462and the Contract Laboratory ProgramStatement of Work3.The required level of quality control mayvary between laboratories and projects.Laboratory statisticalquality control procedures are required to ensure that this testmethod is reliable.1.5 Becquerel(Bq)is the acceptable metric unit for radio-nuclide activity.However,picocurie(pCi)frequently is the unitused to express regulatory limits for radioactivity.The valuesstated in either of these units shall be regarded as standard.Thevalues stated in each system may not be exact equivalents;therefore,each system must be used independently of the other,without combining values in any way.1.6 Refer to Practice C 998 for information on soil samplecollection.1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:4C 998 Practice for Sampling Surface Soil for RadionuclidesD 1193 Specification for Reagent WaterE 11 Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for TestingPurposesE 135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry forMetals,Ores,and Related Materials2.2U.S.EPA Standards:SW-846,Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste2U.S.EPA Contract Laboratory Program Statement of Workfor Inorganic Analysis33.Terminology3.1 Definition:3.1.1 calibrationrefer to Terminology E 135.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 abundance sensitivitythe characteristic of a massspectrometer specifying the likelihood of a large peak produc-ing counts at an adjacent mass.It usually is expressed as thenumber of counts required in the large peak to produce onecount at an adjacent mass.3.2.2 analytean isotope whose concentration is beingdetermined by the test method.3.2.3 calibration blanka solution used to establish thezero-concentration calibration point.3.2.4 calibration reference solutiona solution containingknown concentrations of the analytes used for instrumentcalibration.1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C26 on NuclearFuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods ofTest.Current edition approved Feb.15,2007.Published April 2007.Originallyapproved in 1996.Last previous edition approved in 2001 as E 131095(Reap-proved 2001).2Available from the US EPA at http:/www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/test/sw846.htm.3Document Number ILM05.0.Available from the US EPA at http:/www.epa.gov/superfund/programs/clp/ilm5.htm.4For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.1Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959,United States.Copyright by ASTM Intl(all rights reserved);Thu Apr 16 08:52:12 EDT 2009Downloaded/printed byLaurentian University pursuant to License Agreement.No further reproductions authorized.3.2.5 continuing calibration blank check solution(CCB)asolution prepared in the same way as the calibration blank thatis analyzed at regular intervals to determine if the zero point ofthe calibration has changed significantly during the analyticalrun.3.2.6 continuing calibration verification check solution(CCV)a solution conta