This document specifies the determination of nickel-59 and nickel-63 (⁵⁹Ni and ⁶³Ni) 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 ⁵⁹Ni activity concentrations of 300 mBq⋅l⁻¹ and ⁶³Ni 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.