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Strontium-90: The Unseen Threat and How Scientists are Racing to Detect It

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Reese Marlowe in Science & Nature August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the groundbreaking methods scientists are using to quickly and accurately detect Strontium-90, a radioactive isotope, in our environment, ensuring our safety and future."


In the wake of the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, the scientific community has focused on developing rapid detection methods for radioactive strontium, particularly Strontium-90 (90Sr). While initial concerns centered on radioactive iodine (131I) and cesium (134Cs, 137Cs), the less publicized 90Sr, a byproduct of nuclear fission, poses a long-term threat due to its potential to contaminate the environment and enter the food chain.

90Sr, with a half-life of approximately 29 years, is a pure beta-emitting radionuclide, making it difficult to detect using conventional gamma spectroscopy. Its chemical similarity to calcium allows it to be easily absorbed into bones, increasing the risk of bone cancer and other health issues. This necessitates the development of sensitive and rapid analytical techniques to monitor its presence in environmental samples.

Traditional methods for 90Sr detection are time-consuming and labor-intensive, often requiring complex chemical separation steps. However, recent advances in Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) offer a promising avenue for rapid and accurate 90Sr analysis. This article explores the challenges and innovations in 90Sr detection, highlighting the role of ICP-MS in safeguarding public health and the environment.

The Challenge of Detecting Strontium-90

Stylized mass spectrometer analyzing water, with glowing DNA strands.

90Sr presents unique challenges due to its chemical properties and decay mode. Unlike gamma-emitting radionuclides, which can be easily detected with portable instruments, 90Sr's pure beta emission requires more sophisticated analytical techniques. Traditional methods involve chemical separation of strontium from the sample matrix, followed by beta counting or mass spectrometry. These methods can take days or weeks to complete, making them unsuitable for rapid screening or emergency response.

Moreover, 90Sr often exists in environmental samples at very low concentrations, requiring pre-concentration steps to enhance detection sensitivity. The presence of other elements, such as stable strontium isotopes and interfering elements like zirconium, further complicates the analysis. These factors necessitate the development of robust and selective analytical methods capable of accurately quantifying 90Sr in complex matrices.

To address these challenges, researchers have focused on:
  • Improving chemical separation techniques to selectively isolate strontium from complex matrices.
  • Developing more sensitive and rapid detection methods based on mass spectrometry.
  • Utilizing ICP-MS to overcome limitations of traditional beta counting methods.
ICP-MS offers several advantages for 90Sr analysis, including high sensitivity, multi-element capability, and isotopic selectivity. By introducing a sample into an inductively coupled plasma, atoms are ionized and then separated based on their mass-to-charge ratio. This allows for the detection of 90Sr even in the presence of other strontium isotopes and interfering elements. However, ICP-MS analysis of 90Sr also faces challenges, such as isobaric interferences and matrix effects.

The Future of Strontium-90 Detection

The development of rapid and sensitive methods for 90Sr detection is crucial for ensuring public health and environmental safety. ICP-MS-based techniques offer a promising avenue for achieving this goal, but further research is needed to optimize these methods and address remaining challenges. As technology advances, we can expect to see even more innovative approaches to 90Sr detection, enabling faster and more accurate monitoring of this important radionuclide.

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Everything You Need To Know

1

Why is Strontium-90 considered a long-term threat, and why is its detection important?

Strontium-90 (90Sr) poses a long-term threat because, as a byproduct of nuclear fission, it can contaminate the environment and enter the food chain. Its chemical similarity to calcium allows it to be easily absorbed into bones, increasing the risk of bone cancer and other health issues. Detecting it is crucial for safeguarding public health and the environment.

2

What are the limitations of traditional methods for detecting Strontium-90, and what technology offers a better solution?

Traditional methods for detecting Strontium-90 (90Sr) are often time-consuming and labor-intensive, requiring complex chemical separation steps. These methods can take days or weeks to complete, making them unsuitable for rapid screening or emergency response. Recent advances in Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) offer a promising avenue for rapid and accurate 90Sr analysis.

3

What advantages does Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) offer for detecting Strontium-90?

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) offers high sensitivity, multi-element capability, and isotopic selectivity for Strontium-90 (90Sr) analysis. ICP-MS introduces a sample into an inductively coupled plasma, ionizing atoms and separating them based on their mass-to-charge ratio. This process allows for the detection of 90Sr, even in the presence of other strontium isotopes and interfering elements.

4

Why is Strontium-90 detection more challenging compared to detecting gamma-emitting radionuclides?

Strontium-90 (90Sr)'s pure beta emission makes it difficult to detect using conventional gamma spectroscopy. This necessitates more sophisticated analytical techniques. In contrast, gamma-emitting radionuclides are more easily detected with portable instruments. Furthermore, Strontium-90 often exists in environmental samples at very low concentrations, requiring pre-concentration steps to enhance detection sensitivity, which adds to the complexity compared to detecting gamma emitters.

5

What specific strategies are researchers employing to improve Strontium-90 detection, and what future advancements are anticipated?

Researchers are focused on improving chemical separation techniques to selectively isolate strontium from complex matrices and developing more sensitive and rapid detection methods based on mass spectrometry. They also are utilizing Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to overcome limitations of traditional beta counting methods. Further research is needed to optimize ICP-MS methods and address remaining challenges like isobaric interferences and matrix effects. As technology advances, the expectation is that innovative approaches to Strontium-90 (90Sr) detection will enable faster and more accurate monitoring.

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