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image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Annali di Chimicaarrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao
Annali di Chimica
Article . 2004 . Peer-reviewed
License: Wiley Online Library User Agreement
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Neptunium‐237 Determination in Depleted Uranium Ammunition by Alpha Spectrometry

Authors: DESIDERI, DONATELLA; MELI, MARIA ASSUNTA; ROSELLI, CARLA;

Neptunium‐237 Determination in Depleted Uranium Ammunition by Alpha Spectrometry

Abstract

It is well known that ammunition containing depleted uranium (DU) was used by NATO during the Balkan conflict. To evaluate the DU origin (natural uranium enrichment of or spent nuclear fuel reprocessing) it is necessary to check the presence of activation products (236U, 239Pu, 240Pu, 241Am and 237Np, etc.) in the ammunition. Uranium isotopes, 239Pu, 240Pu, 241Am concentrations in DU were determined in the past in our Laboratory: the present paper describes a new and accurate method for the separation and determination of 237Np ultratraces in a DU penetrator. After sample dissolution, neptunium was separated by two chromatographic columns consisting of micropourous polyethylene (Icorene) supporting tri-n-octylamine (TNOA); after elettrodeposition, Np was counted by alpha spectrometry. The decontamination factor of neptunium from uranium was higher than 106; the detection limit was 0.5 Bq/kg for 0.10 g of ammunition; the average Np yield was 54.0 ± 3.1%. 237Np concentration in DU resulted 30.1 ± 2.4 Bq/kg. The presence of this anthropogenic radionuclides in the penetrator indicates once more that at least part of the uranium originated from the reprocessing of nuclear fuel, but, because of the very low concentration, its radiotoxicological effect is negligible.

Country
Italy
Related Organizations
Keywords

Neptunium, Radioactive Fallout, Uranium, Chemistry Techniques, Analytical, Environmental Monitoring, Nuclear Warfare

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
3
Average
Average
Average
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