Development of Analytical Strategies to Measure Radioisotopes of Tin in the Environment

Abstract

Quantification of tin isotopes in environmental samples, particularly the radioactive 126Sn, is important for processes such as the biomonitoring of organotin species, long-term nuclear waste storage and treatment planning. The detection of 126Sn by mass spectrometric methods is, however, hampered by the presence of the stable 126Te isotope. Therefore, separation of tin from tellurium is crucial to minimize isobaric interferences that limit the quantification of 126Sn by Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) and other instrumental techniques. In the present study, three major accomplishments are discussed: i) development of an analytical strategy to separate tin from tellurium, ii) monitoring of anionic interferences in the separation of tin from tellurium, and iii) suppression of 126Te background to allow the detection of 126Sn by AMS.