IAEA analytical quality assurance programmes to meet the present and future needs of developing countries

For many years the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been promoting analytical quality assurance and quality control in its Member States with emphasis on measurands that are amenable to analysis by nuclear and related techniques, i.e. radionuclides, trace elements, and stable isotopes. This paper reviews briefly the rationale for some of these activities, particularly in relation to the needs of participants in developing countries arising out of co-ordinated research programmes, technical co-operation projects and global and regional networks. Emphasis is given to biological and environmental reference materials with a matrix of natural origin. Also described are some activities arising out of the requirements of ISO-25 and other relevant international quality standards.     

Analysis of marine samples by neutron-induced prompt gamma-ray technique and ICP-MS

Multi-element and isotopic analyses of oils and marine environmental samples were carried out to estimate a contamination source using a "finger printing" method. Elemental analyses were carried out using neutron-induced prompt gamma-ray analysis (PGA), instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) at the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, Tokai-mura, Japan (JAERI) and ICP-MS in the IAEA Marine Environment Laboratory, Monaco (MEL). Fifteen elements including light elements, H, B, N, Si and Ca, which cannot be determined by INAA and ICP-MS, were determined by PGA. A total of 47 elements were determined in the present study. The potential of PGA for the determination of isotopic ratios was tested by measuring ³⁴S/³²S ratios in oils. The evaluation of historical records of marine environmental conditions using annual bands in coral samples was also investigated.     

Internal pair production in alpha-decay

For the probability of the internal pair production in -decay a value of the order of 10^–12 has been obtained which is about 3 orders of magnitude below the experimental results. The internal pair production in -decay is supposed to be due to excited states in nuclei.Dedicated to Professor Ivan Úlehla on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday.     

226Ra and uranium isotopic ratios characterization into the Gran Sasso aquifer,Italy

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Groundwater samples, collected into the deep underground facilities of Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the National Institute of Nuclear Physics...     

A certified reference material for radionuclides in the water sample from Irish Sea (IAEA-443)

A new certified reference material (CRM) for radionuclides in sea water from the Irish sea (IAEA-443) is described and the results of the certification process are presented. Ten radionuclides (³H, ⁴⁰K, ⁹⁰Sr, ¹³⁷Cs, ²³⁴U, ²³⁵U, ²³⁸U, ²³⁸Pu, ^239+240Pu and ²⁴¹Am) have been certified, and information values on massic activities with 95% confidence intervals are given for four radionuclides (²³⁰Th, ²³²Th, ²³⁹Pu and ²⁴⁰Pu). Results for less frequently reported radionuclides (⁹⁹Tc, ²²⁸Th, ²³⁷Np and ²⁴¹Pu) are also reported. The CRM can be used for quality assurance/quality control of the analysis of radionuclides in water samples, for the development and validation of analytical methods and for training purposes. The material is available in 5 L units from IAEA (http://nucleus.iaea.org/rpst/index.htm).     

Tritium monitoring with a scintillation chamber

A tritium monitor based on plastic scintillation sheets is described. The sensitive volume of the scintillation chamber is 0.95 l. The chamber with coincidence electronics has a discrimination capability and permits to detect tritium in the presence of other radionuclides and external gamma-radiation. The monitor characteristics obtained with tritiated air are presented. The monitor sensitivity for tritium in air is 5.6 cpm for each kBq·m⁻³. The monitoring of tritium in air and water is possible using the instrument described.     

Monte Carlo simulation of background characteristics of low-level gamma-spectrometers

Large volume Ge detectors require efficient methods of background reduction if radionuclide analyses at very low-levels are planned. It is advisable therefore to carry out simulations of background characteristics of Ge detectors in advance of installations of low-level Ge-spectrometers either in surface or underground laboratories. We present results of Monte Carlo simulations of background characteristics of Ge detectors in surface laboratories with various lead shielding without and with anticosmic shielding, as well as in underground laboratories operating at different depths.     

Certified reference material for radionuclides in seawater IAEA-381 (Irish Sea Water)

A certified reference material (CRM) for radionuclides in seawater, IAEA-381 (Irish Sea Water), is described and the results of certification are presented. The material has been certified for nine radionuclides (⁴⁰K, ⁹⁰Sr, ¹³⁷Cs, ²³⁷Np, ²³⁸Pu, ²³⁹Pu,²⁴⁰Pu, ^239,240Pu and ²⁴¹Am). Information on massic activities with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals are given for eight radionuclides (³H, ¹²⁵Sb, ²³⁴U, ²³⁵U, ²³⁶U, ²³⁸U, ²⁴¹Pu and ²⁴⁴Cm). Less reported radionuclides include ⁶⁰Co, ⁹⁹Tc, and ²⁴²Pu. The CRM may be used for quality assurance/quality control of the analysis of radionuclides in environmental water samples, for the development and validation of analytical methods and for training purposes. The material is available from the IAEA in 5 kg units.