Streamlined approach for radium isotopes quantification in water samples by α and γ-spectrometry

Abstract A radiochemical method has been developed for the simultaneous isolation and sequential determination of 226 Ra and 228 Ra in water samples. The procedure involves coprecipitation with Pb(Ba)SO 4 , microprecipitation and sequential analysis using alpha- and gamma-spectrometry, avoiding lengthy ingrowth periods and offering a faster and more cost-effective alternative. Optimal conditions for 0.5 L of sample (200 mg of Pb 2+ , 500 µg of Ba 2+ , 10 mL of EDTA) were established through ANOVA. Method verification with spiked samples and IAEA reference water samples demonstrated high precision and accuracy. The method complies with Spanish regulatory requirements and is suitable for routine monitoring and emergency applications.