Evaluation of the uncertainty budget for 226Ra analysis in water samples

Erden P. E., Seferinoǧlu M., Dirican A., Erçin D.

Acta Chimica Slovenica, vol.60, no.2, pp.442-447, 2013 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 60 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2013
  • Journal Name: Acta Chimica Slovenica
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.442-447
  • Keywords: Alpha-particle spectrometry, Barium-133, Radium-226, Solid angle, Uncertainty budget
  • Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

An alpha spectrometric method for the rapid determination of 226Ra isotope in water samples is presented. The method is based on the co-precipitation of (Ba)(Ra)SO4 for source preparation. The parameters contributing to the uncertainty budget are investigated. Geometry factor (solid angle / 4π) was used instead of 226Ra standard disc for the determination of detector efficiency. The analytical method has been successfully applied to the determination of 226Ra for water samples in proficiency tests organized by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and National Physical Laboratory (NPL). The proposed method also showed high reproducibility.