The determination of 125I and 129I using an intrinsic-germanium detector for x-ray spectroscopy.

Abstract An analytical method for the determination of 125I and 129I in environmental samples is described. Samples are treated to convert all iodine to a common oxidation state prior to chemical separation and purification. The iodine is reduced to I2; then the elemental iodine is extracted into CCl4, back extracted into water and precipitated as PdI2. The chemical recovery is determined gravimetrically. The PdI2 precipitate is counted on an intrinsic-germanium detector, and the intensities of the Kalpha X-rays from 125I and 129I are measured. A matrix solution is used to correct for the interference of one spectral region to the other. If 131I is present, as indicated by an independent measurement, a correction for 131I interference is also made.