ASTM D3865-09(2015) PDF

Scope: 5.1 This test method was developed to measure plutonium in environmental waters or waters released to the environment and to determine whether or not the plutonium concentration exceeds the maximum amount allowable by regulatory statutes.

1.1 This test method covers the determination of alpha-particle-emitting isotopes of plutonium concentrations over 0.01 Bq/L (0.3 pCi/L) in water by means of chemical separations and alpha pulse-height analysis (alpha-particle spectrometry). Due to overlapping alpha-particle energies, this method cannot distinguish8201;²³⁹Pu from8201;²⁴⁰Pu. Plutonium is chemically separated from a 1-L water sample by coprecipitation with ferric hydroxide, anion exchange and electrodeposition. The test method applies to soluble plutonium and to suspended particulate matter containing plutonium. In the latter situation, an acid dissolution step is required to assure that all of the plutonium dissolves.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazards are given in Section 9.

ASTM D3865-09(2015) Referenced Document

ASTM C1163 Standard Test Method for Mounting Actinides for Alpha Spectrometry Using Neodymium Fluoride
ASTM C1284 Standard Practice for Electrodeposition of the Actinides for Alpha Spectrometry
ASTM C859 Standard Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
ASTM D1129 Standard Terminology Relating to Water
ASTM D1193 Standard Specification for Reagent Water
ASTM D2777 Standard Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of Applicable Methods of Committee D-19 on Water
ASTM D3084 Standard Practice for Alpha-Particle Spectrometry of Water
ASTM D3370 Standard Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
ASTM D5847 Standard Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis