Analysis of individual particles containing nuclear materials in environmental samples

Esaka, Fumitaka  ; Magara, Masaaki  ; Suzuki, Daisuke   ; Miyamoto, Yutaka   ; Kimura, Takaumi 

Analysis of individual particles containing nuclear materials in environmental samples gives important information on the origins. This paper describes analytical techniques of individual particles containing nuclear materials such as uranium and plutonium. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) combined with an X-ray detector, solid track detectors, and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) were used to identify particles containing uranium and/or plutonium in environmental samples. Isotope ratios for these particles were successfully determined with SIMS, thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) or inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). The complementary use of these methods is effective to characterize individual particles rapidly, precisely and accurately.