The analysis of cesium (Cs) is fundamental for waste characterization and source identification of fission products in nuclear waste remediation and in non-radioactive simulant tests to support tank closure programs. Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-ES) has not been utilized for total Cs determinations in the past due to the inability for quantitative determination below sub-parts per million (ppm) levels and spectroscopic interferences. Currently, Cs radioisotopes analysis for tank waste at SRS is performed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP- MS). However, total Cs by ICPMS faces the problem of isobaric interferences of some Cs isotopes by natural barium (Ba) when present in samples which is routinely present in SRS tank waste. Utilization of the expanded wavelength detection range of the Leeman Prodigy ICP- ES in combination with an ionization buffer (IB) results in a significant increase in spectral intensity without the impact of potential Ba interference when present in sample. This technique increases the sensitivity of the analysis of Cs by ICP-ES from low ppm concentrations to low parts per billion (ppb) concentration detections.

Quantitative Determination of Total Cesium by Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-ES) in Savannah River Site (SRS) Radioactive Tank Waste and Simulants.

ACS Spring 2022

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