Ultrasensitive detection of 244 Pu in environmental samples by accelerator mass spectrometry

A groundbreaking method using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) has enabled the ultrasensitive detection of plutonium-244 (²⁴⁴Pu), a rare and long-lived isotope, in environmental samples from Bikini Atoll and the Pacific Ocean. This advance offers zero-background measurements, significantly improving the precision of plutonium analysis. The study employed radiochemical separation with TEVA resin and validated chemical recoveries via alpha spectrometry, providing a robust technique for tracking environmental plutonium contamination at trace levels. Such sensitivity is critical for assessing long-term impacts on UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Bikini Atoll, where nuclear testing legacy persists.

Păceşilă, D., Bishop, S., Stanciu, I., Enăchescu, M., Petre, A. R., Virgolici, M., Iancu, D., Ţugulan, L., Done, L., Petraglia, A., Terrasi, F., Marzaioli, F., Porzio, G., Buompane, R., & Gialanella, L. (2022). Ultrasensitive detection of ²⁴⁴ Pu in environmental samples by accelerator mass spectrometry. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 37(12), 2581–2588. https://doi.org/10.1039/d2ja00283c