Using k₀-UNAA for the determination of depleted uranium in the moss biomonitoring technique
by Peter Vermaercke, Liesel Sneyers, Fulvio Farina Arbocco, Yulia Aleksiayenak
International Journal of Environment and Health (IJENVH), Vol. 5, No. 1/2, 2011

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.

Online publication date: Fri, 22-Apr-2011

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Environment and Health (IJENVH):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com