A simple method for 210Pb determination in geological samples by liquid scintillation counting

A simple procedure for the determination of 210Pb in geological samples using liquid scintillation counting is presented. Following the acid digestion of the sample, the method uses sulphate precipitation for the radiochemical separation. Finally, lead oxalate is precipitated, and once re-dissolved, it is mixed with ULTIMA GOLD AB® scintillator cocktail. The measurement is performed using a low-level LKB Quantulus 1220™ spectrometer and the two-window technique. Calibration studies were performed to evaluate the interference of 210Bi in the 210Pb measurement. The method was tested on a geological reference sample, and gave satisfactory results and high reproducibility.