Title: Using k₀-UNAA for the determination of depleted uranium in the moss biomonitoring technique

Authors: Peter Vermaercke, Liesel Sneyers, Fulvio Farina Arbocco, Yulia Aleksiayenak

Addresses: SCK CEN, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, Belgium. ' SCK CEN, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, Belgium. ' SCK CEN, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, Belgium; Department of Analytical Chemistry (WE08), Ghent University (UGent), Campus Sterre, Krijgslaan 281 S12, B-9000 Gent, Belgium. ' Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Laboratory of Neutron Physics, Str. Joliot-Curie, 6, 141980 Dubna, Russia

Abstract: The use of ammunition containing depleted uranium (DU) in several military actions is of growing health concern to the population related to the risk arising from contamination of the environment with DU penetrators and dust. Environmental monitoring of uranium and its isotopic ratios therefore become important parameters since they allow for source identification. Neutron activation analysis according to the k₀-standardisation not only allows for quantification of trace elements including uranium, but it can also provide information about the ²³⁵U/²³⁸U isotope ratio. The application of this method as a screening technique to moss samples, as a bio-indicator for this atmospheric pollution, was evaluated for samples spiked with different ²³⁵U/²³⁸U isotope ratios. Detection limits of about 0.6 ng/g and 6 ng/g were obtained for ²³⁵U and ²³⁸U, respectively. The concentration of natural uranium found in moss samples is however the limiting factor, reducing the quantification limit for DU to 400 ng/g.

Keywords: neutron activation analysis; k0-standardisation; moss; biomonitoring; depleted uranium; ammunition; munitions; environmental pollution; environmental monitoring; air pollution; air quality.

DOI: 10.1504/IJENVH.2011.039857

International Journal of Environment and Health, 2011 Vol.5 No.1/2, pp.72 - 83

Published online: 22 Apr 2011 *

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