Uranium

In aqueous media uranium is present as the uranyl ion, UO₂²⁺, which can bind with hydroxide and carbonate anions to form neutral or negative species. It can be measured using the standard DGT passive samplers for cations with a Chelex binding layer, but better performance is achieved using the DGT passive sampler for anions or neutral species with a titanium oxide binding layer known as Metsorb.

When measuring solely U or U simultaneously with oxyanions the standard Metsorb devices can be used.

For deployments in all types of waters you will need device LSNT-NP

For deployment in soils^A you will need device LSLT-NP

For deployments in sediments^B you will need LSPT-NP

When measuring U simultaneously with other cations with or without oxyanions a mixed binding layer of Chelex and Metsorb is recommended. Note that U may be found in both acid and alkaline eluents used.

For deployments in all types of waters you will need device LSNX-NP

For deployment in soils^A you will need device LSLX-NP

For deployments in sediments^B you will need LSPX-NP

Detailed instructions for the use of most DGT passive samplers are available.

^AThese soil devices are designed for deployment in homogenised hydrated soil samples.

^BThe sediment probes can be inserted directly into sediment and have a large enough area (exposure window 150 x 18 mm) to be capable of providing spatial information, e.g. vertical profiles or 2-D images. They have also been used to obtain similar information in hydrated soils (e.g. Luo et al., 2013).