• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제27권10호
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• pp.1609-1612
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• 2006

The determination of the boron isotopic ratio in solutions was achieved by means of a solid state track detector by using an alpha track. The neutron flux was optimized by using a Cd-foil to find the optimum conditions for counting the number of alpha tracks on the selected solid detector caused by the (n, $\alpha$) nuclear reaction of boron. The home-made multi-dot detector plate was utilized in this study to increase the reproducibility of the measurement by uniformly drying the boron solution within the marked circle area on the detector plate. The experimental results of this study verified that the $^{11}B/^{10}B $ isotopic ratio can be measured by observing the number of alpha tracks for different concentrated standard solutions with various isotopic compositions. This technique was applied to the determination of $^{10}B$ enrichment factor in a biological sample for a boron neutron capture therapy.

• 한국방사성폐기물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국방사성폐기물학회 2004년도 Proceedings of the 4th Korea-China Joint Workshop on Nuclear Waste Management
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• pp.257-259
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• 2004

In this paper measurement method of uranium isotope ratio of uranium-bearing particles in swipe samples was introduced; Swipe sample screening program was proposed on the basis of studying various destructive assay and non-destructive assays. Scanning electron microscope(SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence(XRF) system was applied to locate the deposited uranium-containing particles on the graphite support, particle's composition and size can be identified. Some isotope ratio results were compared with those of other bulk analytical methods; By measuring the same prepared sample, we got the U-particle isotopic ratio data similar to those from IAEA NWAL, indicating that our operation parameters and experimental conditions are viable and can be used for measurement of U-particle isotopic ratio from swipe samples.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제56권2호
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• pp.601-610
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• 2024

This paper gives an extensive analysis on the characterization of xenon isotopic ratios for various nuclear reactors and nuclear explosions through neutronic depletion codes. The results of the characterization can be used for discriminating the sources of the xenon isotopes' release among the nuclear explosions and nuclear reactors. The considered sources of the xenon radionuclides do not only include PWR, CANDU, and nuclear explosions using uranium and plutonium bombs, but also IRT-200 and 5MWe Yongbyon (MAGNOX reactor) research reactors operated in North Korea. A new data base (DB) on xenon isotopic activity ratios was produced using the results of the characterization, which can be used in discrimination of the sources of xenon isotopes. The results of the study show that 5MWe Yongbyon reactor has quite different characteristics in ¹³⁵Xe/¹³³Xe ratio from the PWRs and the nuclear reactors have different characteristics in ¹³⁵Xe/¹³³Xe ratios from the nuclear explosions.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제56권4호
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• pp.1372-1384
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• 2024

The discrimination of the source for xenon gases' release can provide an important clue for detecting the nuclear activities in the neighboring countries. In this paper, three machine learning techniques, which are logistic regression, support vector machine (SVM), and k-nearest neighbors (KNN), were applied to develop the predictive models for discriminating the source for xenon gases' release based on the xenon isotopic activity ratio data which were generated using the depletion codes, i.e., ORIGEN in SCALE 6.2 and Serpent, for the probable sources. The considered sources for the neighboring countries of South Korea include PWRs, CANDUs, IRT-2000, Yongbyun 5 MWe reactor, and nuclear tests with plutonium and uranium. The results of the analysis showed that the overall prediction accuracies of models with SVM and KNN using six inputs, all exceeded 90%. Particularly, the models based on SVM and KNN that used six or three xenon isotope activity ratios with three classification categories, namely reactor, plutonium bomb, and uranium bomb, had accuracy levels greater than 88%. The prediction performances demonstrate the applicability of machine learning algorithms to predict nuclear threat using ratios of xenon isotopic activity.

• 한국광물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국광물학회.한국암석학회 2001년도 공동학술발표회 논문집
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• pp.75-75
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• 2001

We report Sr, Nd and Pb isotope data of clinopyroxene separates from ultramafic xenoliths and their host basaltic rocks in Jeju Island, Baekryeong Island, Boeun and Ganseong, Korea. The isotopic data of the xenoliths and host basalts are distinctly different from those of Korean basement rocks. Except for two xenoliths from Ganseong, all samples in this study have isotopic ratios within the combined range of MORB-OIB data. All basaltic rocks have Nd-Sr-Pb isotope compositions different from those of xenoliths, indicating that the host basaltic magma did not derive from the lithospheric mantle where the xenoliths originated. The range of isotopic composition of xenoliths is much greater than that observed in host basalts, which reflects small-scale heterogeneity of the lithospheric mantle. The greater isotopic heterogeneity of the lithospheric mantle probably reflects its long-term stability. The spinel peridotite xenolith data of Jeju Island, Baekryeong Island and Boeun display mixing hyperbolas between DMM and EM II end members. Since Jeju basalts have EM II-like isotopic signature, the mixing relationship shown by the isotopic data of the Jeju xenoliths can be interpreted as the result of infiltration of metasomatic fluid or melt derived from basaltic magma into DMM-like lithospheric mantle. In contrast to other xenolith sites, the Ganseong xenoliths are dominantly clinopyroxene megacryst and pyroxenite. Clinopyroxene megacrysts have different isotopic ratios from their host basalt, reflecting its exotic origin. Two Ganseong xenoliths (wherlite and clinopyroxenite) have much enriched Sr and Nd isotopic ratios and Nd model ages of 2.5-2.9 Ga, and plot in an array away from the MORB-OIB field. The mantle xenoliths from Korean Peninsula have similar $\^$87/Sr/$\^$86/Sr,$\^$143/Nd/$\^$144/Nd and $\^$207/Pb/$\^$204/Pb ratios to, but higher $\^$208/Pb/$\^$204/Pb ratios than, those from eastern China, indicating that Korean xenoliths are derived from the lithospheric mantle with higher Th/U ratio compared with Chinese ones. The isotopic data of xenolith-bearing basalts of Baekryeong Island and Ganseong, along with Ulreung and Dok Islands, show a mixing trend betlveen DMM and EM I in Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic correlation diagrams, which is also observed in tile northeastern Chinese basalts. However, the Jeju volcanic rocks show an EM II signature that is observed in southeastern Chinese basalts. The isotopic variations in volcanic rocks from the northern and southern portions of the East Asia reflect a large-scale isotopic heterogeneity in their source mantle.

• 분석과학
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.333-339
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• 2013

납 동위원소 분석은 국지적 및 지구적 납 오염 특성 해석을 위한 유용한 기법으로 널리 활용되어왔다. 본 연구는 국내 환경 중 납 오염원을 추적하기 위해 주요 배출원별 납 동위원소 인벤토리 구축사업의 일환으로 수행되었다. 특히 비철금속 제련시설은 가장 중요한 인위적 납 오염원으로 알려져 있으며, 본 연구에서는 국내에서 가동 중인 아연 (2 개 시설), 납 및 구리 제련시설에서의 납 동위원소의 유입 및 배출특성을 조사하였다. 각 제련시설에서 사용 중인 정광, 슬러지 및 폐수, 배출가스, 부산물로 생산되는 황산 및 제련된 금속제품 중의 납 농도와 납 동위원소 조성을 조사하였다. 아연 제련시설에서의 아연광석의 납 동위원소 분포는 1.179~1.198의 높은 $^{206}Pb/^{207}Pb$ 값을, 아연 제련시설에서 배출되는 배출가스, 제품, 폐기물 등은 1.105~1.147의 낮은 $^{206}Pb/^{207}Pb$ 값을 나타냈다. 국내 수입되는 아연광석은 주로 호주 및 페루 등이 주요 산지로서, 아연 제련시설에서 배출되는 물질들의 납 동위원소 분포는 중남미산 광석 및 호주산 광석의 납 동위원소 비율이 혼합된 것으로 추정되었다. 납 제련시설에서 배출되는 납 동위원소 패턴은 호주산 광석 및 중남미산 광석의 혼합 형태를 보이며, 구리 제련시설은 중남미 지역의 광석패턴을 따르는 것으로 추정되었다.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제18권11호
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• pp.1172-1175
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• 1997

Calcium isotopic ratios are precisely measured by removing isobaric interferences originated from water in the plasma. Liquid Ar cryogenic trap combined with membrane desolvator could eliminate backgrounds at m/z 42 and 44. Slow drift of ICP-MS is corrected by the frequent running of the standards. It is found necessary to separate Ca from the sample matrix using Ca oxalate precipitation technique. Currently, the RSD is 0.5-1.0% for 2 minutes of measurement but is expected to be improved if the measurement time is increased. The technique was applied to 42Ca enriched baby fecal samples and successfully determined 42Ca/44Ca ratio changes.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.12-15
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• 2014

Thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) was used to determine the concentration and isotope ratio of uranium contained in samples of soil and groundwater collected from Korea. Quantification of uranium in ground water samples was performed by isotope dilution mass spectrometry. A series of chemical treatment processes, including chemical separation using extraction chromatography, was applied to the soil samples to extract the uranium. No treatments other than filtration were applied to the groundwater samples. Isotopic analyses by TIMS showed that the isotope ratios of uranium in both the soil and water samples were indistinguishable from those of naturally abundant uranium. The concentration of uranium in the groundwater samples was within the U.S. acceptable standards for drinking water. These results demonstrate the utility of TIMS for monitoring uranium in environmental samples with high analytical reliability.

• 한국지하수토양환경학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국지하수토양환경학회 2003년도 추계학술발표회
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• pp.435-437
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• 2003

In order to investigate processes and factors controlling the chemical and isotopic compositions of the Han River, seasonal studies were carried out. The North Han River was much lower in the concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and major ions than the South Han River, but higher in $SiO_2$ concentration, $\delta$$^{34}$ $S_{so4}$ value and $^{87}$ Sr/$^{86}$ Sr ratio. This indicates that the chemical and isotopic compositions of the Han River were strongly controlled by the geology of their drainage basins: silicate rocks in the North Han River and carbonate rocks in the South Han River. The $\delta$$^{34}$ $S_{so4}$ values were relatively higher in the North Han River (5.90$\pm$1.46$\textperthousand$)) than in the South Han River (3.48$\pm$0.73$\textperthousand$). This implies that dissolved S $O_{4}$$^{2-}$ in the North Han River might be mostly derived from deposition of atmospheric sulfates, whereas in the South Han River from oxidation of sulfide minerals in the abandoned poly-metallic deposits and the coal-bearing sedimentary rocks distributed over the upstream as well as deposition of atmospheric sulfates. The $^{87}$ S $r^{86}$ Sr ratios in the North Han River were distinctly higher than those in the South Han River, reflecting water-rock interaction with different rock types.pes.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제50권6호
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• pp.929-936
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• 2018

A basic characterization of uranium samples was performed using gamma- and X-ray spectroscopy. The studied uranium samples were eight types of certified reference materials with $^{235}U$ enrichments in the range of 1-97%, and the measurements were performed over 24 h using a high-resolution and high-purity planar germanium detector. A general peak analysis of the spectrum and the $XK_{\alpha}$ region of the uranium spectra was carried out by using HyperGam and HyperGam-U, respectively. The standard reference sources were used to calibrate the spectroscopy system. To obtain the absolute detection efficiency, an effective solid angle code, EXVol, was run for each sample. Hence, the peak activities and isotopic activities were determined, and then, the total U content and $^{234}U$, $^{235}U$, and $^{238}U$ isotopic contents were determined and compared with those of the certified reference values. A new method to determine the model age based on the ratio of the activities of $^{223}Ra$ and $^{235}U$ in the sample was studied, and the model age was compared with the known true age. In summary, the present study developed a method for basic characterization of uranium samples by nondestructive gamma-ray spectrometry in 24 h and to obtain information on the sample age.