Chemistry Unit
Radiochemical analysis of anthropogenic and primordial radionuclides in environmental samples
Type of training:
- Group training:
One group per year: 3 months duration, limited to a of maximum 8 persons - Individual fellowships:
6 - 8 fellows, to a maximum of 15 - 20 person months per year
Topics included in the training programme:
- Introduction to radiochemistry, radiation detection and measurements
- Introduction to radiation and chemical safety
- Sampling and sample preparation techniques
- Sample dissolution techniques
- Principles and applications of alpha-spectrometry and liquid scintillation counting (LSC)
- Calculation and evaluation of results from alpha-spectrometric and LSC measurements
Training on separation and measurement of anthropogenic radionuclides ( 241 Am, 239+240 Pu, 238 Pu, 241 Pu and 90 Sr) :
- Efficiency Calibration of a Liquid Scintillation Counter for 90 Sr determination
- Efficiency Calibration of an LSC for 241 Pu
- Efficiency and energy calibration of an alpha-spectrometry system
- Sequential separation of Pu, Am and Sr using anion exchange,
- Co-precipitation and extraction chromatographic techniques.
- Determination of the 241 Am, 239+240 Pu, 238 Pu by isotope dilution alpha spectrometry, and 241 Pu and 90 Sr by LSC.
- Pu and Am alpha-source preparation by micro-co-precipitation.
- Sr source preparation for LSC.
Training on separation and measurement of primordial radionuclides (238U, 234U, 232Th, 230Th, 228Th, 226Ra 210Pb and 210Po):
- Calibration of a Liquid Scintillation Counter for 210 Pb determination
- Sequential separation of 210 Pb and 210 Po by extraction chromatography.
- Pb source preparation for LSC and Po alpha-source preparation by spontaneous deposition.
- Anion exchange separation of uranium.
- Uranium source preparation by micro-co-precipitation and electrodeposition
- Anion exchange separation of thorium.
- Thorium source preparation by micro-co-precipitation
- Determination of 210 Po, 238 U, 234 U, 232 Th, 230 Th and 228 Th by isotope dilution alpha-spectrometry
- Separation and determination of 226 Ra by alpha-spectrometry.
QA/QC subjects included in the training:
- QA documentation and QA/QC within radiochemical analysis
- Calculation of the total uncertainty associated with a radiochemical measurement
Target groups:
Analytical staff involved in the radiochemical analysis of alpha- and beta-emitting radionuclides in environmental and food samples.
Prerequisites:
University degree in chemistry or physics is essential and experience in radiochemical analysis is advantageous.
Remarks:
Due to the considerable time required for practical laboratory work, individual fellowships can only be accepted for a minimum of two months.Training on the separation and measurement of anthropogenic radionuclides may be combined (if needed) with training on primordial radionuclides. In this case, the minimum training period would be 4 - 5 months.
Further details can be obtained from: C.K.Kim@IAEA.org