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  • Title: Determination of thorium isotopes in mineral and environmental water and soil samples by alpha-spectrometry and the fate of thorium in water.
    Author: Jia G, Torri G, Ocone R, Di Lullo A, De Angelis A, Boschetto R.
    Journal: Appl Radiat Isot; 2008 Oct; 66(10):1478-87. PubMed ID: 18499464.
    Abstract:
    A method has been developed for determination of thorium isotopes in water and soil samples by alpha-spectrometry. After fusion with Na(2)CO(3) and Na(2)O(2) at 600 degrees C, soil samples were leached with HNO(3) and HCl. Thorium in water sample or in soil leaching solution was coprecipitated together with iron (III) as hydroxides and/or carbonates at pH 9 with ammonia solution, separated from uranium and other alpha-emitters by a Microthene-TOPO (tri-octyl-phosphine oxide) chromatographic column, electrodeposited on a stainless steel disk, and measured by alpha-spectrometry. The method was checked with two certified reference materials supplied by the IAEA, and reliable results were obtained. The detection limits of the method for water (soil) samples are 0.44 microBq l(-1) (0.070 Bq kg(-1)) for (232)Th, 0.80 microBq l(-1) (0.13 Bq kg(-1)) for (230)Th and 1.0 microBq l(-1) (0.16 Bq kg(-1)) for (228)Th, respectively, if 100 l of water (0.50 g) for each sample are analysed. A variety of water or soil samples were analysed using this procedure and giving average thorium yields of 75.5+/-14.2% for water and 93.4+/-4.5% for soil. The obtained concentrations of thorium isotopes in water samples are in the range of 0.0007-0.0326 mBq l(-1) for (232)Th, <or= 0.0008-0.0258 mBq l(-1) for (230)Th and 0.0014-1.32 mBq l(-1) for (228)Th. The (230)Th/(232)Th and (228)Th/(232)Th ratios are in the range of <or= 0.57-3.9 and 1.06-717, respectively. The disequilibrium between (232)Th and (228)Th activity in water is observed and the fate of thorium isotopes in water was studied. The exposure impact due to intake of thorium in the analysed drinking water was evaluated, showing a negligible amount of dose contribution. The concentrations of (232)Th, (230)Th and (228)Th in the analysed soil samples are in the range of 30.2-48.6, 32.5-60.5 and 31.0-53.0 Bq kg(-1), respectively. The obtained mean ratio is 1.04+/-0.05 for (228)Th/(232)Th and 1.20+/-0.41 for (230)Th/(232)Th.
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