Sunday 09 March 2025
A team of researchers has developed a new method for analyzing radioactive isotopes in seawater, which could help scientists better understand the movement of these pollutants through the ocean and potentially even track their source.
The method, described in a recent paper, involves using a combination of chemical separation techniques and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) to isolate and measure tiny amounts of uranium-236, neptunium-237, plutonium-239, and plutonium-240. These isotopes are often used as tracers to study ocean currents and track the movement of pollutants through the marine environment.
The team’s approach starts by precipitating out iron hydroxide from a seawater sample, which allows them to concentrate the radioactive isotopes. They then use extraction chromatography to separate the different isotopes, followed by AMS to measure their concentrations.
One of the key challenges in this type of analysis is the ability to distinguish between different isotopes with very similar properties. For example, uranium-236 and neptunium-237 have similar chemical properties, which makes it difficult to separate them using traditional methods. The team’s use of extraction chromatography allows them to selectively bind each isotope to a specific resin, making it easier to isolate and measure.
The researchers also developed a new method for adjusting the oxidation state of the sample during the extraction chromatography step. This allowed them to improve the radiochemical yields of the different isotopes and reduce the risk of contamination.
To test their method, the team analyzed several seawater samples from different locations around the world. They found that the concentrations of uranium-236, neptunium-237, plutonium-239, and plutonium-240 were generally low, but still detectable using their method.
The results of this study could have important implications for our understanding of ocean currents and pollution. For example, by tracking the movement of these radioactive isotopes through the ocean, scientists may be able to better understand how pollutants are transported from one location to another. This information could be used to develop more effective strategies for cleaning up contaminated areas.
In addition to its potential applications in oceanography and environmental science, this method could also be used to analyze other types of samples, such as biological tissue or soil. The ability to measure small amounts of radioactive isotopes with high precision could have important implications for fields such as medicine and nuclear safety.
Cite this article: “New Method for Analyzing Radioactive Isotopes in Seawater Could Improve Understanding of Ocean Pollution”, The Science Archive, 2025.
Radioactive Isotopes, Seawater, Oceanography, Pollution, Uranium-236, Neptunium-237, Plutonium-239, Plutonium-240, Accelerator Mass Spectrometry, Extraction Chromatography
