APPLICATION OF LIQUID-LIQUID EXTRACTION AND RadSpectraDec SOFTWARE IN LS α SPECTROMETRY

ABSTRACT. We developed a new approach for analyzing complex α-emitting radionuclide mixtures. The approach is based on liquid-liquid extraction using appropriate extractive liquid scintillation (LS) cocktails, followed by LS counting (LSC), and processing of spectra using RadSpectraDec software. This software fits the sample spectrum with a linear combination of spectra from individual radionuclides that have been measured previously. Using extraction with liquid complexing agents and counting via a LS counter, it was possible to increase the relative resolution of scintillation α peaks to 9–10%, which is sufficient for the RadSpectraDec program. This approach was successfully applied to the analysis of real environmental and technological samples, and good results have been obtained. The limitations of this approach are also considered