Open AccessLaser Spectroscopy for Monitoring of Radiocarbon in Atmospheric Samples
Author(s) -
Guillaume Genoud,
Johannes Lehmuskoski,
Steven Bell,
V. Palonen,
M. Oin,
Mari-Leena Koskinen-Soivi,
Matti Reinikainen
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
analytical chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.117
H-Index - 332
eISSN - 1520-6882
pISSN - 0003-2700
DOI - 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b02496
Subject(s) - radiocarbon dating , chemistry , accelerator mass spectrometry , carbon dioxide in earth's atmosphere , carbon fibers , isotopes of carbon , carbon 14 , environmental chemistry , carbon dioxide , total organic carbon , archaeology , materials science , physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , composite number , composite material , history
In-situ monitoring of radiocarbon emissions is challenging due to the lack of a suitable method for sensitive online detection of this isotope. Here we report on a complete system for automatized continuous on-site monitoring of radiocarbon gaseous emissions from nuclear facilities. By combining radiocarbon detection using mid-infrared cavity ring-down spectroscopy and an advanced sampling system, an elevated amount of radiocarbon in an atmospheric-like gas matrix was detected. Radiocarbon was detected in the form of 14 CO 2 after extraction of the carbon dioxide from the air sample. The system is also able to discriminate between radiocarbon in organic or inorganic molecular form by converting 14 CH 4 into 14 CO 2 . This work lays the groundwork for further use of this technology in nuclear facilities for online on-site monitoring of radioactive gaseous emissions as well as future work on in-situ monitoring of atmospheric radiocarbon.
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