DOE RESL: CHEM-TP-H3.1: Tritium in Water, Wastewater, Milk, and Urine by Liquid Scintillation Counting
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Official Method Name
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Tritium in Water, Wastewater, Milk, and Urine by Liquid Scintillation Counting |
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Current Revision
| April 1999 |
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Media
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WATER |
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Instrumentation
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Liquid Scintillation Counting |
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Method Subcategory
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Radiochemical |
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Method Source
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Citation
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Brief Method Summary
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Commercially available blend of solvent, scintillator, and nonionic surfactant is added to an aliquot of the sample or its distillate. The mixture is shaken thoroughly and the sample is counted in a liquid scintillation spectrometer system. |
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Scope and Application
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This procedure determines tritium in many liquid samples by liquid scintillation counting. |
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Applicable Concentration Range
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None given. |
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Interferences
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(A) pH levels: Water and wastewater samples less than pH 5 must be neutralized and distilled; those that are colored, turbid, or contain high quantities of dissolved solids or high levels of activity other than tritium must be distilled. (B) Milk and urine must be distilled. Only tritium present as HTO will be detected in milk and urine. |
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Quality Control Requirements
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A blank and a calibration std must be analyzed with each set of samples. Blanks are acceptable if they contain only background quantities of natural radioactivity. Correct performance of the liquid scintillation counter must be verified by an Instrument Performance Analysis (IPA). |
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Sample Handling
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Safety glasses or face shield, lab coat, and appropriate chemical resistant gloves to protect skin and eyes should be worn. |
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Maximum Holding Time
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None given. |
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Relative Cost
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$51 to $200 |
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Sample Preparation Methods
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