Determination of technetium in sea-water using ion exchange and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with ultrasonic nebulisation

Abstract

An enrichment–separation scheme employing a strong-base type anion-exchange resin was developed for the determination of99Tc in sea-water by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry utilising ultrasonic nebulisation with membrane desolvation. Samples were processed through an anion-exchange column to enrich Tc and to eliminate sea-water matrix ions. The limit of detection for 99Tc in sea-water based on processing a 14 ml sample was 0.03 ng l–1. Accuracy was verified with spike recovery experiments. The potential for rapid on-line sample processing via a microcolumn–flow injection system was demonstrated.