Water quality — Nickel-59 and nickel-63 — Part 1: Test method using liquid scintillation counting

This document specifies the determination of nickel-59 and nickel-63 (59Ni and 63Ni) activity concentration in samples of all types of water using liquid scintillation counting (LSC). Using currently available liquid scintillation counters, this test method can measure 59Ni activity concentrations of 50 mBq·l 1 and 63Ni activity concentrations of 20 mBq·l 1 with a counting time of 200 min and a sample volume of 1,5 l.

NOTE These performance indicators are wholly dependent on the measurement regimes in individual laboratories; in particular, the detection limits for 59Ni are entirely dependent on the levels of 63Ni that can be present.

The range of application depends on the amount of dissolved material in the water and on the performance characteristics of the measurement equipment (background count rate and detection efficiency).

It is the laboratory’s responsibility to ensure the suitability of this test method for the water samples tested.