A new method for the determination of 210Po in environmental samples using plastic scintillation resins

We have developed a new method using a selective plastic scintillation resin (PSresin) based on Aliquat-336 for analysing 210 Po in water samples. The PSresin effectively isolates 210 Po while removing main interferences such as 210 Pb and 210 Bi by loading the sample in a HCl 1 mol L -1 medium and rinsing with HCl 1 mol L -1 and 6.25 mol L -1 , consecutively. We optimized the rinse volumes and conducted a search for suitable chemical analogues of polonium to be used as tracers throughout the procedure. Zinc and cadmium were identified as the most suitable elements for preconcentration and separation of 210 Po on the PSresin. We compared our PSresin method with reference methods (UNE-EN ISO 13161 and IAEA/AQ/12) based on alpha spectrometry by analysing drinking water samples. The results showed that the PSresin method is faster and provides accurate results, although the alpha spectrometry methods achieve lower detection limits. • A new method for the quantification 210 Po in drinking water has been developed • The method is based on the use of plastic scintillation resins and exhibits good accuracy and precision. • Quality parameters are: quantitative retention, 100% of detection efficiency and a M.D.A of 0.007 Bq/L (0.5 L and 12 hours) • Regarding classical methods it offers the advantage of shorter analysis time and it is capable to meet the regulatory requirement for 210 Po in drinking water.