Optimization of $^{241}$Pu Analysis and Application to Environmental Samples

An optimized method for determining beta-emitting $^{241}$ Pu in the presence of alpha-emitting nuclides was developed using a liquid scintillation counting system. PSA-level was setting using pulse-shape discrimination. The $^{241}$ Pu counting channel was adjusted for maximum value of FM using the $^{241}$ Pu standard source. The volume of scintillant was determined for the maximum value of counting efficiency. The optimized method of $^{241}$ Pu has been applied to environmental samples to measure concentration of $^{241}$ Pu in soils and mosses. Also it has been identified the origin of Pu deposited in Korea from the activity ratio $^{241}$ Pu / $^{239,240}$Pu.