SCHEDULE OF COSTS (per sample)

  1. Tritium measurement

    1. Low-level gas proportional counting of water sample. Required sample volume 15 mL; processing quantity is 4 mL.    $175.00

    Counting will be performed to – 3.0%, one sigma, or – 3 TU (10 pCi L-1), whichever is larger. Minimum detectable activity (MDA) is 3 TU (10 pCi L-1). For undersized or chemically contaminated samples, special arrangements will have to be made. For samples suspected to be above 1000 TU (3000 pCi L-1), we require advance notice.

    2. Enrichment and low-level counting of ultra-low activity water sample. Required sample quantity 1000 mL. Normal starting volume is 275 mL.    $325.00

    Accuracy and precision will be 0.1 TU (0.3 pCi L -1) or – 3.5%, whichever is larger. MDA is 0.1 TU (0.3 pCi L-1). For undersized or chemically contaminated samples, special arrangements may have to be made. For samples suspected to be above 30 TU (100 pCi L-1), we require advance notice.

    NOTE: Stated starting volume is needed for obtaining quoted accuracy: a smaller quantity will usually yield less precise results. For a first run we will take no more than one third of the furnished amount of water unless instructed otherwise by submitter. Combining this analysis with a Helium-3, Helium-4 and Neon analysis (see D1 below) will yield an apparent recharge age of the water.

    3. Pre-testing of sample to determine if enrichment is necessary. Required sample volume 1 L.    $75.00

    Direct counting (as in A.1) will be performed for a set period of time to determine if tritium content is low enough to require prior enrichment. Submitter must provide criterion for enrichment beforehand. If sample does not require enrichment, the counting will continue until the criterion under A1 is met and the total cost is the same as above in A.1, i.e. $175.00. If enrichment is required, we have to start from scratch and the cost is sum of A.2 and A.3, i.e. $400.00.

    4. Helium in-growth method. Required sample volume 1 L.    $375.00

    Accuracy and precision will be 0.01 TU. MDA is 0.01 TU. For undersized or chemically contaminated samples, special arrangements will have to be made. A sample is degassed, sealed, and helium-3 allowed growing in. The in-grown helium-3 is measured by mass spectrometry. The tritium concentration determined from the amount of in-grown helium-3, the length of time the sample is sealed, and the tritium half-life (12.32 years). In-growth time for low level samples can be from 6 to 12 months. Combining this analysis with a Helium-3, Helium-4, and Neon analysis (see D1 below) will yield an apparent recharge age of the water. In most cases method A2 (see above) is recommended. Visit the [Noble Gas Laboratory] hyperlink web page for more information regarding this method.

  2. Extraction of water absorbers (used in atmospheric tritium sampling

    1. Sieve extraction $50.00 Minimum batch of 4    $200.00

    Extraction of sieve trap or palladium trap, and restoring of the trap in condition ready for re-use. Trap to be of our standard configuration. Shipping and associated handling not included in price. Cost for tritium analysis of extracted water can be found in section I.A.

    2. Extraction of other type traps.    Price varies

  3. Extraction of water from soils.

    1. Extraction of water from soil or rock.    $100.00

    Water will be removed from sections of soil or rock cores (4 inches maximum diameter, 5.5 inches maximum length) with a vacuum distillation processes. Cost for tritium analysis of extracted water can be found in section I.A.

  4. Helium-3 analysis.

    1. Helium-3, Helium-4, and Neon analysis.    $300.00

    3He, 4He and Ne concentrations are determined by mass spectrometry. Advance notice is required if the sample is collected from a volcanic area. Water sample must be collected in a custom crimp-sealed copper tube. Copper tubes and clamps are provided upon request. Combining this analysis with a tritium analysis (A.2 or A.4 above) will yield an apparent recharge age of the water. Visit the [Noble Gas Laboratory] hyperlink web page for more information regarding this method.

  5. Low Tritium  “dead water”

    1. Low Tritium “dead water” (< 0.1 TU)    $30.00 per liter + shipping

    This freshwater is collected from an artesian well that is screened at a depth of ~ 100 m below the water table. Based upon hydraulic conductivity this water has not been in contact with the atmosphere for several thousand years and should therefore contain undetectable amounts of tritium. Analysis of this water by the Tritium Lab indicates that the tritium levels are below our detection limit (< 0.1 TU). The Tritium Lab uses this water for analytical instrument blanks. This water is suitable for use as analytical instrument, field and equipment blanks. The water will be delivered in 1 liter brown glass bottles. Batch analysis available upon request.

  6. CFC-11, CFC-12, and CFC-113 analysis.

    1. CFC-11, CFC-12, and CFC-113 analysis.    $150.00

    Water samples are analyzed for CFCs using a custom built purge-and-trap gas chromatograph with electron capture detection. This method is extremely sensitive and the limit of detection for CFC-11, CFC-12 and CFC-113 is 0.007, 0.01, and 0.01 x10-12 moles per kilogram of water (pmol kg-1), respectively. Precision values for all three CFCs are 2% or less. The accuracy of CFC-derived recharge ages from these measurements is 3 years or less.