A modified method for the sequential determination of 210Po and 210Pb in Ca-rich material using liquid scintillation counting

This research describes methods for the sequential determination of 210Pb and 210Po activity concentrations in Ca-rich ash samples collected from oil shale-fired power plants in Estonia. The procedure involves digestion of Ca-rich ash samples in a microwave digestion system, radiochemical separation of 210Pb and 210Po and their measurements. All samples, blanks and standards were measured by liquid scintillation counting (Quantulus 1220). The method was tested using IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) RGU-1 and IAEA-444 reference materials. Spectral calibration/peak identification which included the optimization of α/β discrimination system (pulse shape analyser), and recovery have been made by 209Po and 210Pb standard solutions.