Rapid determination of radiostrontium in milk using automated radionuclides separator and liquid scintillation counter

A modular automated radionuclide separator for 89/90Sr (MARS Sr-90) has been developed for the rapid and reproducible isolation of radiostrontium. The automated radiochemical method for separation and purification of 89/90Sr in milk was developed and applied to the determination of radiostrontium in spiked milk powders supplied for IAEA inter-laboratory testing. The activities of 89/90Sr in milk samples could be measured within 1 day with less than 5 % relative bias using MARS Sr-90 and a liquid scintillation counter.