Chemistry Unit
Analytical Capabilities
The Chemistry Unit uses a number of analytical techniques to carry out quantitative analysis for radionuclides and stable elements in a wide range of environmental matrices in support of AQCS activities (e.g. bulk characterization, homogeneity testing, certification of reference materials, characterization of samples for proficiency tests, etc.). Other activities include analytical support for radio-ecological studies, Technical Cooperation projects, and analysis of nuclear safety and safeguard related samples. The table below lists the analytical techniques available and their typical application:
| Technique | Used for determination of |
|---|---|
| Liquid scintillation counting (LSC) | Sr-90, Pu-241, Y-90 and Pb-210 |
| Alpha spectrometry (α) | Pu-238, Pu-239+240, Am-241, Po-210, Th-232, Th-228, Th-230, Np-237, U-238 and U-234 |
| Gross alpha, beta counting | alpha and beta emitting nuclides (for qualitative analysis only) |
| Gamma ray spectrometry (γ) | K-40, Co-60, Cs-134, Cs-137, Am-241, Pu-239 and most gamma emitting nuclides from the decay chains of U and Th |
| In-situ Gamma ray spectrometry (γ) (field spectrometry) |
K-40, Co-60, Cs-134, Cs-137, Am-241, Pu-239 and most gamma emitting nuclides from the decay chains of U and Th |
| Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) | minor and trace elements |
| Flame and Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) | major, minor and trace elements |
| Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) | trace and ultra trace elements |
| Particle Size Analyzer | particle size distribution |