Rapid determination of ¹²⁹I in large-volume water samples using rotary evaporation preconcentration and accelerator mass spectrometry measurement

A rapid method using rotary evaporation combined with accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) measurement, was developed for the determination of ¹²⁹I in large-volume water samples. The parameters including water bath temperature, pH, concentration volume and reducing reagent, were thoroughly optimized. The chemical yield of iodine under the optimal conditions is between 98.8 and 100.7%. Compared to the direct evaporation, the enrichment time can be shortened by five times. The measured ¹²⁹I/¹²⁷I ratios for the environmental water samples are in good agreement with those previously reported values, suggesting this method is accurate, robust and suitable for ¹²⁹I determination in large water samples.