On the use of 225Ra as yield tracer and Ba(Ra)SO4 microprecipitation in 226Ra determination by α-spectrometry

A simple procedure for the determination of 226Ra in geological samples using α-spectrometry is presented. The method uses 225Ra as yield tracer, and microprecipitation of Ba(Ra)SO4 for source preparation. Extensive studies were performed in order to determine the chemical yield of the proposed procedure with precision. The method was tested on a geological reference sample, and gave satisfactory results and high reproducibility.