Analytical Chemistry of the Actinide Elements presents a number of pertinent techniques for the analysis of actinides and provides sufficient information to guide the analyst in modifying procedures to meet special situations. The book begins with an introductory chapter on the discovery of elements 89-103, their oxidation state, and their electronic configuration. Information is provided on the safe handling of radioactive materials (all actinides are radioactive). The use of nuclear techniques in determining trace concentrations of actinides has led to the inclusion of chapters dealing with nuclear instrumentation and nuclear methods. Topics discussed include the preliminary treatment of samples; separations; emission spectroscopy and mass spectrometry; electrochemical, x-ray, and fluorimetric methods; isotopic analysis of uranium and some other actinides; and non-instrumental methods. Thus, the analytical chemist, if he is not already familiar with these techniques, is indoctrinated in a basic amount of nucleonics, to aid him in analyzing unusual materials with unusual techniques.
