Max. concentration of radioactive particles in water

[winnie_t]

Hi,

does anyone know how I can find out the max. concentration of Cs-137 and Sr-90 in water?

 

[Astronuc]

Hi,

does anyone know how I can find out the max. concentration of Cs-137 and Sr-90 in water?

One could use a gamma spectrometer to measure the activity of a sample, then compare to a prepared calibration standard. Or one could take a sample, remove the water, measure the mass of the precipitate and the activity, and perhaps used an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) emission test to determine the amount of Cs and/or Sr.

 

[winnie_t]

One could use a gamma spectrometer to measure the activity of a sample, then compare to a prepared calibration standard. Or one could take a sample, remove the water, measure the mass of the precipitate and the activity, and perhaps used an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) emission test to determine the amount of Cs and/or Sr.

but wouldn't there be a standard max. concentration at which point no more Cs or Sr can dissolve in water? Is this not some data I can find rather to calculate if I don't have to opportunity for an experiment?

 

[nikkkom]

but wouldn't there be a standard max. concentration at which point no more Cs or Sr can dissolve in water?

Depends on salt. Example

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CsCl
"Solubility in water 1865 g/L"

(you could find it yourself).

You asked "does anyone know how I can find out the max. concentration of Cs-137 and Sr-90 in water?" - IOW, you asked specifically about Cs-137, not caesium in general.

Long before a salt solution with Cs-137 (say CsCl) start approaching saturation, it will be radiating millions of rem/h of gamma.

 

[winnie_t]

Depends on salt. Example

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CsCl
"Solubility in water 1865 g/L"

(you could find it yourself).

You asked "does anyone know how I can find out the max. concentration of Cs-137 and Sr-90 in water?" - IOW, you asked specifically about Cs-137, not caesium in general.

Long before a salt solution with Cs-137 (say CsCl) start approaching saturation, it will be radiating millions of rem/h of gamma.

Thanks nikkkom, I've completely missed out that its the salt dissolving in water rather than the isotope itself.

 

[Astronuc]

but wouldn't there be a standard max. concentration at which point no more Cs or Sr can dissolve in water? Is this not some data I can find rather to calculate if I don't have to opportunity for an experiment?

Well is this about dissolved or particles. Assuming it's of elemental origin, one would probably use the solubility constant for CsOH or Sr(OH)₂. But then is one referring to seawater or freshwater, and there could be other compounds that enhance or hinder solution. Also, Cs and Sr are likely deposited on dust or other solid material.

According to this article, Cs is highly soluble in seawater.
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2012/03/26/1120794109.full.pdf