The measurement of tritium in water samples with electrolytic enrichment using liquid scintillation counter

Abstract

Tritium ( 3H) present in the environment de creased in the last decades and now a days it has low activity concentrations. Measurement of low-level tritium activities in natural waters, e. g. in precipitation, ground water, and river water requires special techniques for water pre-treatment and detection of low-level radio activity. In order to increase the tritium concentration to an easily measurable level, electrolytic enrichment must be applied. This paper presents the enrichment method performed by electrolysis in a battery of 18 cells, giving an enrichment factor of 5.84 (calculated from 59 electrolyses). The calculated mean values of the separation factor and enrichment parameter were 4.10 and 0.84, respectively. Results for tritium activity in precipitation and surface water collected in Belgrade during 2008 and 2009 are presented. The Radiation and Environmental Protection Department of the Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, participated in the IAEATRIC2008 international intercomparison exercise. The participation in the intercomparisons for any laboratory doing low-level 3H measurements in the waters is very important and useful. It is considered the best way to check the entire procedure and methods of the measurements and there liability of the standard used. The analysis of there ported 3H activity results showed that all results for five intercomparison samples, for which electrolytic enrichment were applied prior to the 3H measurement, are acceptable.