Title: Determination of radium-226 in phosphate fertilisers and gypsum by gamma-ray spectrometry

Authors: Maria Del Carmen Godinez, Jose Luis lturbe, Eduardo Ordonez, Marcos Solache-Rios

Addresses: Departmento de Quimica, ININ, Apartado Postal 18-1027, Col. Escandon, Mexico City 11801, D.F., Mexico. ' Departmento de Quimica, ININ, Apartado Postal 18-1027, Col. Escandon, Mexico City 11801, D.F., Mexico. ' Departmento de Quimica, ININ, Apartado Postal 18-1027, Col. Escandon, Mexico City 11801, D.F., Mexico. ' Departmento de Quimica, ININ, Apartado Postal 18-1027, Col. Escandon, Mexico City 11801, D.F., Mexico

Abstract: The ²²⁶Ra isotope was determined in 17%, 20% and 46% phosphate fertilisers and in gypsum. The fertiliser samples were dissolved in 10% nitric acid solution. The barium sulfate method was used for the precipitation of ²²⁶Ra. An alkaline fusion method was used to separate the ²²⁶Ra from the gypsum. The ²²⁶Ra concentrations present in these materials were between 10^-4 and 10^-5µg g^-1. Neutron activation analysis was also used to verify the presence of uranium in the fertilisers and gypsum; the uranium concentration in gypsum was 4.85 ± 1.72 ppm.

Keywords: gamma-ray spectrometry; gypsum; phosphate fertilisers; radium; nitric acid; barium sulfate.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.1997.028167

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 1997 Vol.8 No.1/2, pp.195 - 200

Published online: 15 Sep 2009 *

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