Separation method for Pu, Am and Sr in large air filter sample sets

A sequential separation method for Pu, Am, and Sr was applied for unusually large sample sets of air filters. The sample sets were combined weekly air filters covering sampling time from three months to five years, while in original method, the analyzed air filters had sampling time of only 1-3 days, containing significantly less organic and inorganic matrix and natural radionuclides. The separation method is based on ashing and wet-ashing, followed by column separations with extraction chromatography and anion exchange. Reference materials IAEA-447, IAEA-384, and NIST-SRM-4353A were analyzed with the modified separation method. IAEA-384 was representing best the composition and radionuclide level in the air filter samples. • Compared to the original method, sample ashing took considerably longer time (one day vs. several days). • High concentration of natural radionuclides in the large air filter sample sets interfered first the determination of (241)Am and (90)Sr, until an anion exchange step was adopted for removal of (210)Bi and (210)Po from Am and Sr fractions. • After modification, the method is suitable for separating artificial radionuclides (238,239,240)Pu, (241)Am, and (90)Sr from large sample sets of air filters.