Method for rapid screening analysis of Sr-90 in edible plant samples collected near Fukushima, Japan

• A screening method for measuring 90Sr in edible plant samples by focusing on 90Y in equilibrium with 90Sr is reported.
• 90Y was extracted from samples with acid, co-precipitated with iron hydroxide, and precipitated with oxalic acid.
• The dissolved oxalate precipitate was loaded on an extraction chromatography resin.
• 90Y-enriched eluate was analyzed by Cherenkov counting with a TDCR liquid scintillation counter.
• 90Sr (90Y) concentration was determined in edible plant samples collected near the damaged Fukushima Daiichi NPPs with this method.

A screening method for measuring 90Sr in edible plant samples by focusing on 90Y in equilibrium with 90Sr is reported. 90Y was extracted from samples with acid, co-precipitated with iron hydroxide, and precipitated with oxalic acid. The dissolved oxalate precipitate was loaded on an extraction chromatography resin, and the 90Y-enriched eluate was analyzed by Cherenkov counting with a TDCR liquid scintillation counter. 90Sr (90Y) concentration was determined in plant samples collected near the damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plants with this method.