Recent progress on mass spectrometric analysis of artificial radionuclides in environmental samples collected in Japan
Jian Zheng, Sarata Kumar Sahoo, Tatsuo Aono
Abstract
Mass spectrometry techniques, such as AMS, TIMS and ICP-MS, represent promising techniques for the analysis of artificial radionuclides in environmental samples. They are characterized by high sensitivity, low detection limit, high sample throughput, shorter measuring time compared to conventional radiometric measurements, and the capability to provide isotopic composition information. After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, an increasing need was recognized for the rapid analysis of accident-released artificial radionuclides (actinides and fission products) in environmental samples for radiation dose estimation and evaluation of effectiveness of radioactive contamination remediation. This review describes the recent progress on mass spectrometric analysis of artificial radionuclides in environmental samples in Japan after the nuclear accident and discusses future research prospects for mass spectrometric techniques in radionuclide analysis.