Rapid determination of strontium-90 in water samples as environmental radiation monitoring of nuclear facilities in Indonesia using extraction chromatography method

Environmental radiation monitoring is necessary to protect public safety and security in Indonesia. It aims to determine and monitor ambient levels of radioactive substances from other countries, such as those released after the Fukushima nuclear accident or nuclear experiments/CTBT events. Strontium-90 (⁹⁰Sr) is a nuclear fission product with pure beta-emitting radiation and a half-life of 28.8 years. It is commonly found in reactor operation, radioactive waste disposal, nuclear detonation tests, and radioactive dust falls. Because strontium-90 is deposited on both land and water, it can contaminate groundwater. Currently, Indonesia has three nuclear reactors and plans to build a Nuclear Power plant (NPP) in West Kalimantan. Indonesia has conducted radiation monitoring, especially for ⁹⁰Sr using conventional separation methods, but this has disadvantages regarding analysis time which requires a longer time. Therefore, the rapid method of ⁹⁰Sr determination is essential. The study aimed to obtain the most effective method for measuring ⁹⁰Sr in order to acquire a high recovery. Sr-resin from Eichrom was used in this experiment, which had been conditioned with HNO₃, and the flow rate through the resin column was varied between 0.5; 1 and 3 mL/min. Measurement of samples and standards using a Liquid Scintillation Counter (LSC) for 400 minutes per measurement, with Yttrium-90 (⁹⁰Y) measured on Channel 120– 711 and Strontium-90 (⁹⁰Sr) on Channel 711–910. The results showed that the use of Eichrom resin in this method had decreased the analysis time. The optimal flow rate is 0.5-1 mL/min, and 85–93% recovery is obtained. This method’s development uses extraction chromatography combined with alpha spectrometry or LSC. According to the Government’s plan to build a nuclear power plant in Bengkayang, West Kalimantan, this procedure is necessary for nuclear emergencies and routine environmental radiation monitoring.