US EPA

1710904 

Journal Article 

Measurement of cosmogenic S-35 activity in rainwater and lake water 

Hong, YL; Kim, G 

2005 

Yes 

Analytical Chemistry
ISSN: 0003-2700
EISSN: 1520-6882 

77 

10 

3390-3393 

15889934 

10.1021/ac048128c 

WOS:000229206800046 

Although cosmogenic S-35 (t(1/2) = 87 d) has been found to be a unique and excellent radioactive tracer for stable S in atmospheric and aqueous environments, its application has been very limited because an analytical method for its detection has not been well-documented. Here, we report a rapid and robust method for analyzing extremely low levels of S-35 in rainwater and lake water samples. About 20-L water samples were preconcentrated using an anion exchange column. The purified S-35 was precipitated as BaSO4, and the precipitates were collected using a GF/B filter. The S-35 in precipitates on the filter was directly counted using a super-low-background liquid scintillation counter with cocktail. We successfully measured S-35 in. precipitation and lake water samples using this method, which promises future diverse applications of the S-35 tracer to S cycling in the environment and to age determination of lake water and shallow groundwater.