Challenge to ultra-trace analytical techniques of nuclear materials in environmental samples for safeguards at JAERI: methodologies for physical and chemical form estimation

• Published in: International journal of environmental analytical chemistry Vol. 86; no. 9; pp. 663 - 675
• Main Authors: Usuda, Shigekazu, Yasuda, Kenichiro, Saito-Kokubu, Yoko, Esaka, Fumitaka, Lee, Chi-Gyu, Magara, Masaaki, Sakurai, Satoshi, Watanabe, Kazuo, Hirayama, Fumio, Fukuyama, Hiroyasu, Esaka, Konomi Takai, Iguchi, Kazunari, Miyamoto, Yutaka, Chai, Jian-Yu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 10-08-2006
• Subjects: Environmental samples; Nuclear materials; Physical and chemical form; Safeguards; Ultra-trace analysis
• ISSN: 0306-7319; 1029-0397
• DOI: 10.1080/03067310600583733

From a viewpoint of physical and chemical form estimation, ultra-trace analytical techniques of nuclear materials in environmental samples for safeguards have been investigated at Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute. This article deals with (1) an outline of the developed techniques for bulk and particle analyses of uranium and plutonium in the safeguards environmental samples; (2) current R&D on techniques relating to estimation of the physical and chemical form, such as SEM images and EDX spectra for fine particles of nuclear materials and fission track observation applicable to fissile materials; and (3) possible analytical methodologies, as future works, applicable to ultra-trace amounts of nuclear materials in environmental samples.