ALMERA network
The IAEA's network of Analytical Laboratories Monitoring Environmental RAdioactivity (ALMERA) was formally established in 1999 when the IAEA issued a request to its Member States to nominate laboratories for membership. Currently the network has 84 laboratories from a total of 50 countries. The network is expected to provide radioanalytical support for the Agency's activities in the radiological assessment of areas affected by accidental or intention release of radioactivity, participate in the certification of IAEA reference materials and help train staff from other Member States. The laboratories chosen by the IAEA to participate in these activities will be selected based on their performance in various Proficiency Tests (PT) organised specifically for ALMERA.
In 1997, the Unit organised the first ALMERA workshop, which was held in Vienna and attended by Agency staff and twenty-four external participants from fifteen countries. The analytical results of the first ALMERA intercomparison were discussed, the role of ALMERA was defined and strong commitment to continue the work of ALMERA was expressed by all participants.
A typical example of an ALMERA proficiency test is that organised in 2000. This involved distribution of 84 packages of samples to participating laboratories. Each package consisted of the following units:
- 3 x spiked soil samples with transuranic radionuclides and Sr-90
- 1 x spiked soil sample with gamma-emitting radionuclides
- 1 x sample blank (soil)
- 1 x solution with transuranic radionuclides
- 1 x solution Sr-90
- 1 x Solution with gamma-emitting radionuclides
- Results for the following radionuclides were received from the participants and evaluated: Co-57, Co-60, Zn-65, Cs-134, Cs-137, Am-241