In situ detection of trace aerosol uranium using a handheld photometer and solid reagent kit

Abstract

The public's concern about post-Fukushima radiation in the air and in their food has triggered the development of rapid and simple methods for the detection of trace uranium in air and food. Conventional uranium detection methods including atomic absorption spectrometry, phosphorimetry, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry are highly sensitive. However, the expensive instruments, sophisticated operation procedures and the high skill needed for the interpretation of results obtained by these methods keeps uranium detection mostly in well equipped analytical laboratories. Though in situ and real-time detection of uranium is difficult, it is also the most desirable for assessing uranium contamination problems and exploring uranium mines. Driven by these requirements, a new simple in situ real-time method for field analysis of trace aerosol uranium in the air was developed in this contribution using a homemade handheld photometer and uranium solid reagent kit. Based on the chromogenic reaction between uranium and arsenazo III, trace aerosol uranium in air samples from above uranium ores could be successfully detected by the method presented herein, and no uranium was detected in air samples from above ores that did not contain uranium, suggesting that the present field method could be utilized for environment control and validation in the case of nuclear accident emergencies. Moreover, the measured uranium concentrations in air samples increased with the uranium content of ores, which suggests that the present field method could be applied for the discrimination of uranium ores and ores without uranium showing great promise for the exploration of uranium mines.