Method for rapid screening analysis of Sr-90 in edible plant samples collected near Fukushima, Japan

Appl Radiat Isot. 2016 Jun:112:131-5. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2016.03.026. Epub 2016 Mar 24.

Abstract

A screening method for measuring (90)Sr in edible plant samples by focusing on (90)Y in equilibrium with (90)Sr is reported. (90)Y was extracted from samples with acid, co-precipitated with iron hydroxide, and precipitated with oxalic acid. The dissolved oxalate precipitate was loaded on an extraction chromatography resin, and the (90)Y-enriched eluate was analyzed by Cherenkov counting with a TDCR liquid scintillation counter. (90)Sr ((90)Y) concentration was determined in plant samples collected near the damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plants with this method.

Keywords: Cherenkov counting; Edible plant samples; Fukushima; Solid chromatography; Strontium-90/Yttrium-90; TDCR method.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Food Contamination, Radioactive / analysis*
  • Fukushima Nuclear Accident
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Plants, Edible / adverse effects*
  • Plants, Edible / chemistry*
  • Radiation Monitoring / methods
  • Scintillation Counting / methods
  • Strontium Radioisotopes / adverse effects*
  • Strontium Radioisotopes / analysis*
  • Yttrium Radioisotopes / analysis

Substances

  • Strontium Radioisotopes
  • Yttrium Radioisotopes
  • Yttrium-90
  • Strontium-90