Determination of $^{14}C$ in Environmental Samples Using $CO_2$ Absorption Method

$Co_2$ 흡수법에 의한 환경시료중 $^{14}C$ 정량

  • Published : 1997.03.30

Abstract

A simple and precise method of $^{14}C$ was developed to analyze $^{14}C$ in the environment samples using a commercially available $^{14}CO_2$ absorbent and a liquid scintillation counter. An air sampler and a combustion system were developed to collect HTO and $^{14}CO_2$ in the air and the biological samples simultaneously. The collection yield of $^{14}CO_2$ by the air sampler was in the range of 73-89% . The yield of the combustion system was 97%. In preparing samples for counting, the optimum ratio of $CO_2$ absorbent to the scintillator for mixing was 1:1. No variation of the specific activity of $^{14}C$ in the counting sample was observed up to 70 days after preparation of the samples. The detection limit for$^{14}C$ was 0.025 Bq/gC, which is the level applicable to the natural level of $^{14}C$. The analytical result of $^{14}C$ obtained by the present method were within ${\pm}6%$ of the relative error from the one by the benzene synthesis. The specific activity of $^{14}C$ in the air collected at Taejon during the period of October 1996 ranged from 0.26 to 0.27 Bq/gC. The specific activity of $^{14}C$ in the air collected at 1km from the Wolsong nuclear power plant a 679 MWe PHWR, was $0.54{\pm}0.03$ Bq/gC. The ranges of specific activities of $^{14}C$ in the pine needles and the vegetations from the areas around the Wolsong nuclear power plant were 0.56-0.67 Bq/gC and 0.23-1.41 Bq/gC, respectively.

$CO_2$ 흡수제와 액체섬광계수기를 이용하여 간단하고 정밀한 $^{14}C$ 정량법을 개발하였다. 또한, 대기 및 생물시료중 $^3H$$^{14}C$ 동시포집을 위한 대기시료 포집장치 및 연소장치를 개발하였다. 본 연구에서 개발한 대기중 $CO_2$ 포집장치의 포집율은 73-89%였으며 연소장치의 연소율은 97%를 나타내었다. 측정시료 조제시 흡수제와 섬광체와의 최적 혼합비는 1:1 였으며 측정시료중 $^{14}C$의 비방사능 농도는 시료조제 후 70일까지 변화하지 않고 매우 안정한 상태를 유지하였고 검출하한치는 0.025 Bq/gC로써 자연준위의 $^{14}C$ 분석에도 활용 가능하였다. 또한, 본 분석법에 의한 $^{14}C$ 분석결과는 벤젠합성범에 의한 결과와 ${\pm}6%$ 오차범위 내에서 상호간 잘 일치하였다. 본 연구에서 검토한 방법을 이용하여 1996년 10월 대전지역 대기중 $^{14}C$의 비방사능을 측정한 결과 0.26-0.27 Bq/gC의 범위로써 전형적인 자연준위를 나타내었다. 한편, 월성 원자력발전소로부터 lkm 떨어진 지점에서의 대기중 $^{14}C$C 비방사능은 $0.54{\pm}0.03$ Bq/gC였으며, 솔잎 및 채소류중 $^{14}C$의 비방사능은 각각 0.56-0.67 Bq/gC 및 0.23-1.41 Bq/gC의 농도범위를 나타내었다.

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