A soil sampling and analysis program provides a direct means of determining the concentration and distribution of radionuclides in soil. A soil analysis program has the most significance for the preoperational monitoring program to establish baseline concentrations prior to the operation of a nuclear facility. Soil analysis, although useful in special cases involving unexpected releases, is a poor technique for assessing small incremental releases and is therefore not recommended as a method for routine monitoring releases of radioactive material. Nevertheless, because soil is an integrator and a reservoir of long-lived radionuclides, and serves as an intermediary in several of the plutonium pathways of potential importance to humans, knowledge of the concentration of plutonium in soil is essential.

1.1 This test method covers the determination of plutonium in soils at levels of detection dependent on count time, sample size, detector efficiency, background, and tracer yield. This test method describes one acceptable approach to the determination of plutonium in soil.

1.2 This test method is designed for 10 g of soil, previously collected and treated as described in Practices C 998 and C 999, but sample sizes up to 50 g may be analyzed by this test method. This test method may not be able to completely dissolve all forms of plutonium in the soil matrix.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazard statements are given in Section 9.