Ultrafiltration of large volumes for the determination: of colloidally bound artificial radionuclides in natural waters

A methodology based on large volume ultrafiltration (>1000 l) is developed in order to characterize the artificial radionuclides associated with the colloidal populations in natural waters. “Inorganic elements” and organic carbon sinks or sources due to sorption or post desorption within the ultrafiltration assembly/membranes of the Sartorius® system are underlined and discussed from methodological step experiments as well as recoveries obtained for artificial radionuclides such as 106Ru, 125Sb, 137Cs and 239+240Pu fractionating natural waters from the Rhône River (France), its estuary and the Mediterranean Sea (Gulf of Lions).