ANALYTICAL PROCEDURE FOR THE SEPARATION OF TOTAL i DIOSTRONTIUM FROM A 100 CR&M SEMPLE OF SOIL le Dry the entire sample in an oven at 110°C. Sample, using standard sampling procedure (quartering process) ww —- Weigh out 100 grams of the ignited material. OUNMN Add LOO grams of Na,CO, and mix thoroughly. Fuse in a muffie at 900°C (minimum temperature) for 45 minutes, (minimum time) until the melt is clear and homogeneous. Te Cool by immersing in a beaker of cold water, withdrawing quickly * * Ignite in a nickel crucible at 900°C. oO until aporoximately 125 grams of soil is obtained as a representative sample. at first. Continue immersing and withdrawing until the crucible is cool enough to vlece ona transite board. The NagCO3 should not be wet at any time. 8. When the crucible is cool, turn it uoside down, tao the bottom with a pestle and allow the solid fused material to fall into & mortar. 9. Break up the fused material in a hand grinder, transfer to an automatic grinder and grind to a fine powder. 10. Transfer the ground fused material to a 3-liter beaker containing 509 ml of hot distilled water, stirring constantly until the particles are dispersed. ll. Add slowly with continued stirring, 1909 ml of 60% PO1G,- This is sufficient to nevtralize the fused material und allow for an excess of acid. Evanorate with mechanical stirring until dense yhite HT1G; fumes are detected. The silica is now dehydrated. Dilute to 2.5 liters with distilled water and allow te setule. Filter the silica on No. © Whatman paner with suction. Wash with 250-500 ml of het $% ECL, then with 25 ml cf &stillec water. Transfer the filtrate and washines te the crigine! beaker. Wash the silica with 1% H,SQ,, and discard the washiners. ’ s ry SJ UNCLASSIFIED