1 Scope
This document specifies the determination of nickel-59 and nickel-63 ( 59 Ni and 63 Ni) activity concentration in samples of all types of water using inductively coupled
plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
Using currently available ICP-MS, this test method can measure 59 Ni activity concentrations of 300 mBq⋅l −1 and 63 Ni activity concentrations of 200 Bq⋅l −1 . These values can be achieved with a sample volume of 1,0 l. Higher activity concentrations
can be measured by either diluting the sample or using smaller sample aliquots or
both.
NOTE These performance indicators are wholly dependent on the measurement regimes in individual
laboratories; in particular, the detection limit is influenced by amount of stable
nickel 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 counting efficiency).
It is the laboratory’s responsibility to ensure the suitability of this test method
for the water samples tested.