Projects / Programmes
Radiokemija in radioekologija (Slovene)
January 1, 1999
- December 31, 2003
Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
1.08.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Control and care of the environment |
|
1.04.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Chemistry |
|
Code |
Science |
Field |
P300 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Analytical chemistry |
P305 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Environmental chemistry |
P380 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Nuclear chemistry |
B270 |
Biomedical sciences |
Plant ecology |
P220 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Nuclear physics |
P420 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Petrology, mineralogy, geochemistry |
Researchers (13)
Organisations (1)
no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
1. |
0106 |
Jožef Stefan Institute |
Ljubljana |
5051606000 |
87,238 |
Abstract
The proposed research programme includes the development of methods for the determination of trace and minor elements using instrumental and radiochemical neutron activation analysis. Alpha and gamma spectrometry, beta counting and liquid scintillation techniques will be used for the determination of critical natural and man-made radionuclides.
Neutron activation analysis (NAA) offers important advantages for the analysis of trace and minor elements, especially regarding analytical quality control, due to its inherent characteristics such as matrix independence, virtual freedom from blank problems and specificity, as well as its totally independent nature as a nuclear-based method, rather than on electronically-based phenomena as are all other chemical and spectroscopic methods. These inherent advantages make it attractive in quality control. In radiochemical NAA an important source of error is the uncertainty in the chemical yield. The use of radioisotopic tracers to measure the chemical yield for every sample aliquot will be stressed. Further, in its non-destructive or instrumental mode (INAA), the most attractive and rapidly developing form of INAA is the technique of k0-standardisation. This method is very relevant and applicable to environmetal studies. It enables multielement analysis of a range of sample types. On the other hand, it is very often important to determine not only the total concentration a particular element, but also its various isotopes. The major working methods for the determination of radionuclides in a wide variety of environmental samples include non-destructive gamma spectrometry and radiochemical and radioanalytical techniques leading to measurements by alpha spectrometry, beta counting and alpha scintillation techniques, as well as mass spectrometry and NAA for some nuclides. Methods for the determination of natural and man-made radionuclides using alpha spectrometry and the liquid scintillation technique will be developed. Particular attention will be paid to combining NAA and alpha spectrometric methods.
Determination of critical natural and man-made radionuclides in environmental samples is obviously important in view of the continuing energy production by nuclear reactors, the associated fuel cycle, reprocessing and waste disposal, and the associated increased potential for environmental contamination and public concern over the potential hazards. Radioecological studies of intake, cycling and of biomonitoring, and of dose assessment will be included.
Most important scientific results
Final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report