Two ultrasensitive laser techniques, laser photoacoustic spectroscopy (LPAS) and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), are being developed for the detection and speciation of trace levels of actinides in solutions typical of those expected in a high-level waste repository. An LPAS system was set up for these studies. Experiments were carried out to determine the detection limits of plutonium and americium in solution. Concurrently with the LPAS work, LIF studies were carried out on uranyl ion and curium in solution.