Study on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with multi-separation systems for radioisotope analysis

Matsueda, Makoto

Hosha Kagaku, (50), p.55 - 57, 2024/09

Concentrations and isotope ratios of Tc, I, and Pu isotopes, which are long-lived nuclides, provide us the important information in many fields such as the decommissioning of nuclear facilities and investigation of environmental dynamics. It will increase the effort for their analysis in the future. Therefore, their analytical methods should be developed for corresponding many samples, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is expected to be a technique to help resolve them. However, there are some problems in the analysis of these nuclides, and technological innovations have not progressed yet. In this paper, we attempted to solve these problems by combining multiple separation systems with ICP-MS.

Extraction of gold nanoparticles based on temperature-dependent phase separation using zwitterionic 3-(nonyldimethylammonio)-propyl sulfate

Nakagawa, Taichi; Suzuki, Reika*; Matsueda, Makoto; Terashima, Motoki; Hinze, W. L.*; Takagai, Yoshitaka*

Solvent Extraction Research and Development, Japan, 31(2), p.49 - 56, 2024/00

https://doi.org/10.15261/serdj.31.49

Application of the Y separation method using DGA resin for the measurement of Sr in human teeth and marine fish bones

Koarai, Kazuma; Matsueda, Makoto; Aoki, Jo; Terashima, Motoki

KEK Proceedings 2023-2, p.155 - 160, 2023/11

In this presentation, we report the results of the application of the Y-separation method using DGA resin to the determination of Sr in human teeth and seawater fish bones.

Tracking the behavior and characteristics of microplastics using a multi-analytical approach; A Case study in two contrasting coastal areas of Japan

Battulga, B.; Atarashi-Andoh, Mariko; Matsueda, Makoto; Koarashi, Jun

Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(31), p.77226 - 77237, 2023/05

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-28005-x

The global survey for the presence of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments has attracted widespread scientific attention over the past decade. This study demonstrates a multidimensional analytical approach, including isotopic and thermogravimetric analyses to evaluate characteristics and behavior of MPs in the environment. The MP samples were collected in two contrasting coastal areas of Japan. The C values of field-collected polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) MPs were ranged from -25.6 to -31.4, -23.4 to -30.9, and -27.3 to -28.6 per mil, respectively. The differences in C signature between MPs with the same polymer types (i.e., PE and PP) but different colors. Through thermal analysis, the single-step endothermic process was observed for environmental PE and PS-MPs. The results reveal that degradation may play a significant role in the behavior and characteristics of MP debris in the aquatic environment.

Development of an analytical method for Sr with ICP-MS/MS using O and NH mixed gas reaction

Koarai, Kazuma; Matsueda, Makoto; Terashima, Motoki

KEK Proceedings 2022-2, p.102 - 107, 2022/11

Analytical methods with inductively coupled plasm mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) have been developed for the determination of Sr in environmental samples; however, the sensitivity of the ICP-MS methods and removal of interferences are insufficient to measure trace amount of Sr in the environmental samples. In this study, we developed an analytical method for Sr with ICP-DRC-MS/MS using oxygen and ammonia mixed gas reaction. This analytical method could be applied for measurement of Sr in reference soil.

Sensitivity enhancement in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry using nebulization methods via nitrogen mixed gas effect

Yanagisawa, Kayo; Matsueda, Makoto; Furukawa, Makoto*; Takagai, Yoshitaka*

Analytical Sciences, 38(8), p.1105 - 1114, 2022/08

https://doi.org/10.1007/s44211-022-00140-4

We demonstrate the sensitivity enhancement in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) by combining ultrasonic nebulization via the nitrogen mixed gas effect. We showed the effect of nitrogen gas concentration (0-5%) in the nebulizer gas on the signal sensitivity for 63 elements using commercially available (concentric and ultrasonic) nebulizers. In addition, the limit of detection was calculated in each case. Finally, we compared the sensitivity (i.e., the slope of the calibration curve), background noise intensity, and three-dimensional intensity distribution in the plasma to elucidate the effects of the concurrent use of mixed gas plasmas and nebulization methods.

Online solid-phase extraction-inductively coupled plasma-quadrupole mass spectrometric quantification of Sr using Sr/Sr isotope dilution method

Yanagisawa, Kayo*; Odashima, Mizuki*; Matsueda, Makoto; Furukawa, Makoto*; Takagai, Yoshitaka*

Talanta, 244, p.123442_1 - 123442_7, 2022/07

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123442

The determination of a low concentration of Sr was achieved by the combination of online SPE-ICP-QMS and ID method using Sr/Sr ratio. No requirement of radioactive standard material and the preparation process of the calibration curve was in the quantification process and data acquisition can be in one-shot sample injection. The proposed method allowed the rapid (within 15 min/sample) quantification of Sr in the presence of significant interferences such as isobaric Zr and other elements. The LOD for Sr was 5.6 Bq/L for a 10 mL injection and this could be improved by simply increasing the sample volume injected.

Rapid analysis of Sr in cattle bone and tooth samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Koarai, Kazuma; Matsueda, Makoto; Aoki, Jo; Yanagisawa, Kayo*; Terashima, Motoki; Fujiwara, Kenso; Kino, Yasushi*; Oka, Toshitaka; Takahashi, Atsushi*; Suzuki, Toshihiko*; et al.

Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 36(8), p.1678 - 1682, 2021/08

https://doi.org/10.1039/D1JA00086A

Rapid analysis of Sr in bone and tooth samples of cattle were achieved by an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) coupled with mass shift and solid phase extraction techniques. Limit of detection (LOD) in the ICP-MS measurement of 0.1 g samples was lower than that of the radioactivity measurement. Analytical time of the ICP-MS method was reduced from 20 days to 11 hours, compared with the radiometric method. Therefore, the ICP-MS method can be rapid and useful procedure of Sr in small bone and tooth samples derived from terrestrial animals.

Development of solid-phase extraction technique for ICP-MS analysis of iodine-129 in environmental samples; Comparative study of anion-exchange and silver ion-supported resins on isolation of Iodine-129 from interference elements

Aoki, Jo; Matsueda, Makoto; Koarai, Kazuma; Terashima, Motoki; Fujiwara, Kenso; Abe, Hironobu

JAEA-Research 2021-002, 20 Pages, 2021/05

JAEA-Research-2021-002.pdf:2.75MB

In order to analyze extremely low concentrations of I in environmental samples by ICP-MS with high sensitivity and rapidity, it is necessary to remove interfering elements (Na, Mg, K, Ca, Mo, Cd and In) using a pretreatment method with Solid-phase Extraction Resin. Anion Exchange Resins with amino groups have been widely used as Solid-phase Extraction Resins, while Ag+ Supported Resins have also been widely used in recent years. It is necessary to optimize the pretreatment technique based on characteristics of the resins. In this study, we compared in terms of separation of I from matrix elements (Na, Mg, K, Ca, Mo, Cd and In) for DOWEX1-X8, AG 1-X8 and CL Resin, and investigated their suitability for ICP-MS analysis of I in environmental samples. The results of adsorption and elution experiments showed that all resins examined uptake and elute I quantitatively. CL Resin showed the highest removal performance of interfering elements, with 3.1% of Mo remaining, but other interfering elements were removed below the detection limit of ICP-MS. However, the Mo remained after the CL Resin treatment could interfere the ICP-MS measurement of I, based on the consideration of ratio of I and Mo. The eluate from CL Resin was treated with a Cation exchange resin (DOWEX 50WX8). As a result, Mo in the eluate was removed by up to 98% and the interference from Mo was reduced to measurable level. Therefore, the pretreatment method using CL Resin in combination with DOWEX 50WX8 is effective for ICP-MS analysis of I at extremely low concentrations (background level).

Applicability of Sr resin for ICP-MS measurement of Sr in hard tissue samples

Koarai, Kazuma; Matsueda, Makoto; Aoki, Jo; Yanagisawa, Kayo*; Fujiwara, Kenso; Terashima, Motoki; Kitamura, Akihiro; Abe, Hironobu

KEK Proceedings 2020-4, p.180 - 185, 2020/11

Strontium-90 and Y, its daughter nuclide, adverse effects on the bone marrow. Monitoring of Sr in the bones have been required after the Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. However, conventional radioactivity measurement method for Sr requires a complicated separation of Y and a time-consuming measurement. ICP-MS system has been applied to Sr concentration survey of water, soil, and edible part of fish. We applied the ICP-MS system for the bones for the first time. In this study, reference bone (JSAC 0785 fish bone) was used as measurement samples. Sample preparation of the bone was performed using a microwave digestion instrument. After sample preparation, Sr was determined using ICP-MS system with cascade separation steps based on on-line column separation and oxygen reaction. Strontium-90 in the bones was successfully separated from Ca, Ba, Y, Zr, Fe, Se, and Ge, which interfered in ICP-MS measurement, in the separation steps.