Determination of (210)Pb and (226)Ra/(228)Ra in continental water using HIDEX 300SL LS-spectrometer with TDCR efficiency tracing and optimized α/β-discrimination.

An analytical method for determination of (210)Pb, (226)Ra and (228)Ra is presented based on adsorption on 3M Empore RadDiscs, and measurement applying liquid scintillation spectrometry (LSC) after elution. The LSC measurement was performed with optimized α/β-discrimination and isotope standardization using the triple to double coincidence ratio (TDCR). The consistency of measurement results between radioactive parent-daughter pairs (210)Pb/(210)Bi, (226)Ra/(222)Rn and (228)Ra/(228)Ac was checked in long-term counting experiments and the influence ofinterference of in-growing daughters from (226)Ra into the β-spectrum of (228)Ra+(228)Ac was studied as well. Recommendations for optimized LSC (228)Ra measurement besides presence of (226)Ra are given.