ASTM C1475-17
Standard Guide for Determination of Neptunium-237 in Soil

Standard No.

ASTM C1475-17

Release Date

2017

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Latest

ASTM C1475-17

Scope

5.1 A soil sampling and analysis program provides a direct means of determining the concentration and distribution of radionuclides in soil. The presence and extent of neptunium-237 is of particular interest because it is one of the more mobile transuranics in terms of migration and plant uptake. Since soil is an integrator and a reservoir on long-lived radionuclides, and serves as an intermediary in several pathways of potential importance to humans, knowledge of the concentration of neptunium-237 in soil is essential.

1.1 This guide covers the determination of neptunium-237 in soil by means of radiochemical separations and alpha spectrometry. This guide provides options in the selection of sample preparation, separation, and measurement. Although neptunium-237 is not a component of global fallout, it is a product of production reactors and spent fuel processing. This guide is designed for analysis of ten grams of soil previously collected and treated in accordance with Practices C998 and C999. Larger-size samples of environmental soil may also be analyzed, as long as the concentrations of interferences such as uranium and thorium are at or near environmental concentrations. Depending on the choice of a sample dissolution method, all chemical forms of neptunium may not be completely solubilized. This guide should allow the determination of neptunium-237 concentrations from sub becquerel per gram levels to applicable standards depending on count time, sample size, detector efficiency, background, and tracer yield.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 9.

1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

ASTM C1475-17 Referenced Document

• ASTM C1000 Standard Test Method for Radiochemical Determination of Uranium Isotopes in Soil by Alpha Spectrometry
• ASTM C1001 Standard Test Method for Radiochemical Determination of Plutonium in Soil by Alpha Spectroscopy
• ASTM C1163 Standard Test Method for Mounting Actinides for Alpha Spectrometry Using Neodymium Fluoride
• ASTM C1284 Standard Practice for Electrodeposition of the Actinides for Alpha Spectrometry
• ASTM C1317 Standard Practice for Dissolution of Silicate or Acid-Resistant Matrix Samples
• ASTM C1342 Standard Practice for Flux Fusion Sample Distribution
• ASTM C1387 Standard Guide for Determination of Technetium-99 in Soil
• ASTM C1412 Standard Practice for Microwave Oven Dissolution of Glass Containing Radioactive and Mixed Wastes
• ASTM C859 Standard Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
• ASTM C998 Standard Practice for Sampling Surface Soil for Radionuclides
• ASTM C999 Standard Practice for Soil Sample Preparation for the Determination of Radionuclides
• ASTM D1193 Standard Specification for Reagent Water
• ASTM D1890 Standard Test Method for Beta Particle Radioactivity of Water
• ASTM D3084 Standard Practice for Alpha-Particle Spectrometry of Water
• ASTM D4962 Standard Practice for NaI(Tl) Gamma-Ray Spectrometry of Water
• IEEE/ASTM SI 10 American National Standard for Metric Practice

ASTM C1475-17 history

• 2017 ASTM C1475-17 Standard Guide for Determination of Neptunium-237 in Soil
• 2005 ASTM C1475-05(2010)e1 Standard Guide for Determination of Neptunium-237 in Soil
• 2005 ASTM C1475-05 Standard Guide for Determination of Neptunium-237 in Soil
• 2000 ASTM C1475-00 Standard Guide for Determination of Neptunium-237 in Soil