A routine preparation method for AMS measurement of 129I in solid material

Here we present results of an 129I extraction procedure applied to solid matrices (soils and organic matters), which is based on combustion of samples in an oxygen atmosphere. Stepwise heating and continuous warming of the whole system were critical points in order to achieve relatively satisfactory yields of iodine from samples ranging up to 1.5 g. Repeated combustions of blanks show both stable background levels and no significant memory effects. We have processed a series of different types of sample materials including standard soil, maple leaves and surface soil from Uppsala in Central Sweden. The results show analytical reproducibility and agreement with reported values.