A method validation for determining gross alpha-beta activity concentration in water samples using LSC

Liquid scintillation counter (LSC), with its advanced spectrometry capabilities, the Quantulus 1220™, was used to determine gross α-β measurements in 25 environmental water samples. The determination of gross α-β emitters with the LSC method requires an accurate pulse shape analyzer (PSA) setting under various quenching conditions. External quenching parameter values were evaluated with americium and strontium standard solutions to look for the optimal PSA value. A PSA calibration curve was obtained and used to measure real samples. To validate a constructed PSA calibration curve, a test was performed using spiked samples with different standard solutions. The results of the same set of 25 water samples were verified by element specific separations followed by α-spectrometry. An acceptable correlation was obtained between the two techniques. In the case of LSC analysis, the results indicate a good PSA optimization. The method was found to be reliable, effective and very suitable for wide range measuring campaigns.