ASTM_C_1345_-_08.pdf

Designation:C134508Standard Test Method forAnalysis of Total and Isotopic Uranium and Total Thorium inSoils by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry1This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1345;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()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers the measurement of totaluranium(U)and thorium(Th)concentrations in soils,as wellas the determination of the isotopic weight percentages of234U,235U,236U,and238U,thereby allowing for the calcula-tion of individual isotopic uranium activity or total uraniumactivity.This inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy(ICP-MS)method is intended as an alternative analysis tomethods such as alpha spectroscopy or thermal ionization massspectroscopy(TIMS).Also,while this test method covers onlythose isotopes listed above,the instrumental technique may beexpanded to cover other long-lived radioisotopes since thepreparation technique includes the preconcentration of theactinide series of elements.The resultant sample volume can befurther reduced for introduction into the ICP-MS via anelectrothermal vaporization(ETV)unit or other sample intro-duction device,even though the standard peristaltic pumpintroduction is applied for this test method.The samplepreparation removes organics and silica from the soil by use ofa high temperature furnace and hydrofluoric acid digestion.Thus,this test method can allow for sample variability of bothorganic and silica content.This test method is also described inASTM STP 1291.Since this test method using quadrupoleICP-MS was approved,advances have been made in ICP-MStechnology in terms of improved sensitivity and lower instru-ment background as well as the use of collision or reactioncells(or both)and sector field mass spectrometers with singleand multiple detectors.These advances should allow this testmethod to be performed more effectively but it is the usersresponsibility to verify performance.1.2 The analysis is performed after an initial drying andgrinding sample preparation process,and the results are re-ported on a dry weight basis.The sample preparation techniqueused incorporates into the sample any rocks and organicmaterial present in the soil.The method of sample preparationapplied differs from other techniques,such as those found inPractice C999,which involve simply tumbling and sieving thesample;however,the user may select whichever technique ismost appropriate to their needs.1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.1.4 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:2C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear MaterialsC998 Practice for Sampling Surface Soil for RadionuclidesC999 Practice for Soil Sample Preparation for the Determi-nation of RadionuclidesC1255 Test Method forAnalysis of Uranium and Thorium inSoils by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectros-copyD420 Guide to Site Characterization for Engineering Designand Construction Purposes(Withdrawn 2011)3D1193 Specification for Reagent WaterD1452 Practice for Soil Exploration and Sampling by AugerBoringsD1586 Test Method for Penetration Test(SPT)and Split-Barrel Sampling of SoilsD1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils forGeotechnical PurposesD2113 Practice for Rock Core Drilling and Sampling ofRock for Site ExplorationD2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water(Moisture)Content of Soil and Rock by MassD3550 Practice for Thick Wall,Ring-Lined,Split Barrel,Drive Sampling of Soils1This 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 Jan.1,2008.Published February 2008.Originallyapproved in 1999.Last previous edition approved in 2001 as C1345 96(2001).DOI:10.1520/C1345-08.2For 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.3The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced onwww.astm.org.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry forMetals,Ores,and Related MaterialsE305 Practice for Establishing and Controlling AtomicEmission Spectrochemical Analytical CurvesE456 Terminology Relating to Quality and StatisticsE876 Practice for Use of Statistic