A comparative study for the determination of uranium and uranium isotopes in granitic groundwater

• DOI: 10.1007/s10967-014-3699-4
• Publication Date: 2014-10-09T16:43:26Z
• Authors: Min Hoon Baik; Mun Ja Kang; Soo Young Cho; Jongtae Jeong
• Keywords: Isotopes of uranium; Liquid Scintillation Counting

In this study, the activities of uranium isotopes for granitic groundwater samples were determined using alpha (α)-particle spectrometry and liquid scintillation counting (LSC). The activity ratios of 234U/238U and the total mass concentration of uranium were also investigated for groundwater samples from different depths. The uranium isotopes were out of secular equilibrium owing to an increased water–rock interaction and to different origins of the groundwater samples. The concentration of 238U in the groundwater samples determined by ICP-MS, showed relatively good consistency with those by α-particle spectrometry, and less so for those determined by LSC.