IAEA's ALMERA Network (Analytical Laboratories for ... - ARPA FVG

Chernobyl 25 years later:
studies, remarks and recent findings
June 21-22 21 22-23, 23, 2011 – Udine (Italy)
IAEA’s ALMERA Network
(Analytical nalytical Laboratories aboratories for the Measurement easurement
of Environmental
nvironmental Radioactivity)
Radioactivity)
Rosella Rusconi, Rusconi,
Maurizio Forte
(ARPA Lombardia)
Umberto Sansone
(Rome, Italy)

ALMERA
A A A A world world-wide world
world
world wide wide wide group group group group group of
of
of
of
laboratories laboratories laboratories laboratories capable capable capable capable of
of
of
of
providing providing providing providing reliable reliable reliable reliable reliable and
and
and
and
timely timely timely timely analysis analysis analysis analysis of
of
of
of
environmental environmental environmental environmental samples
samples
samples
samples
in in in in in the the the the event event event event event of of of of an
an
an
an
accidental accidental accidental accidental accidental or or or or intentional
intentional
intentional
intentional
release release release release release of of of of radioactivity radioactivity radioactivity radioactivity in
in
in
in
the the the the environment
environment
environment
environment

ALMERA objectives
The The The The objective objective objective objective of of of of the the the the ALMERA ALMERA ALMERA ALMERA network network network network is is is is to to to to maintain maintain maintain maintain a a a a world-
world
world
world
wide wide wide wide wide group group group group of of of of laboratories laboratories laboratories laboratories laboratories capable capable capable capable of: of:
of:
of:
of:
providing providing reliable reliable and and timely timely analysis analysis of of environmental
environmental
samples samples in in the the event event of of an an accidental accidental or or intentional intentional release release of
of
radioactivity radioactivity in in the the environment
environment
providing providing assistance assistance to to neighbouring neighbouring regions regions or or other
other
Member Member States States in in the the event event of of an an accidental accidental or or intentional
intentional
release release of of radioactivity radioactivity in in the the environment
environment
being being a a source source of of reliable reliable and and consistent consistent information information and
and
advice advice for for government government bodies
bodies

Origin Orig n of ALMERA
Despite several international conventions created in the wake of the
1986 Chernobyl disaster, even almost two decades later, later,
not not not not all
all
all
all
countries countries countries countries countries and and and and regions regions regions regions are are are are are prepared prepared prepared
prepared
prepared to deal swiftly and effectively with
with
with
with
nuclear nuclear nuclear nuclear or or or or radiological radiological radiological radiological emergencies
emergencies.
emergencies
emergencies
emergencies.
Established Established Established Established in in in in 1995
1995
1995
1995
First First First First meeting: meeting: meeting: meeting: 17 17 17 17 November November November November 1997 1997- 1997
1997
1997 IAEA, IAEA, IAEA, IAEA, Vienna
Vienna
Vienna
Vienna
24 24 24 24 24 laboratories laboratories laboratories laboratories from from from from 15 15 15 15 different different different different countries countries
countries
countries
countries
First First First First laboratories laboratories laboratories laboratories official official official official official nomination nomination nomination nomination 1999
1999
1999
1999

Central Central Coordination
Coordination
5 5 5 Regional Regional Groups
Groups
Africa Africa
Africa
Middle Middle East
East
Asia Asia-Pacific Asia Pacific Pacific
North North North and and Latin Latin America
America
Europe
Europe
CNEN CNEN-IRD, CNEN IRD, Brazil
Brazil
Structure of ALMERA
IAEA
IAEA
Hungarian Hungarian Agricultural Agricultural Authority
Authority
Syrian Syrian Syrian Atomic Atomic Energy Energy Commission
Commission
South South African African African Nuclear Nuclear Energy
Energy
Corporation
Corporation
KINS, KINS, Korea
Korea

ALMERA members
ALMERA ALMERA
ALMERA
ALMERA (October (October (October (October 2010) 2010)
2010)
2010) consists of 124 124 124 124 laboratories laboratories
laboratories
laboratories representing
78 78 78 78 countries countries
countries
countries
countries
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
7
2
8
8
Laboratories
Countries
9
9
North America Africa Middle East Latin America Asia-Pacific Europe
The Agency's Terrestrial Terrestrial Terrestrial Terrestrial Environment Environment Environment Environment Environment Laboratory Laboratory Laboratory Laboratory in in in in Seibersdorf
Seibersdorf
Seibersdorf
Seibersdorf
(Austria) (Austria)
(Austria)
(Austria) and its Marine Marine Marine Marine Environment Environment Environment Environment Laboratory Laboratory Laboratory Laboratory in in in in Monaco Monaco Monaco
Monaco
Monaco are re
additional additional
additional
additional members members
members
members of the network
18
11
19
12
63
36

ALMERA Italian members
• SOGIN - Centrale Elettronucleare di Caorso, Caorso
• SOGIN - Centrale Elettronucleare di Trino, Vercelli
• ENEA Istituto di Radioprotezione - Laboratorio Casaccia, Roma
• ENEA - Istituto di Radioprotezione - Laboratorio Trisaia,
Rotondella (MT)
• ENEA - Centro di Ricerca, Saluggia - Vercelli (VC)
• ISPRA - Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca
Ambientale, Roma
• ARPA Lombardia – Dipartimento di Milano, Milano

Proficiency Proficiency Proficiency Proficiency test
test
test
test
and and and and Inter Inter-
Inter
Inter
Inter
comparison
comparison
comparison
comparison
Develop Develop Develop Develop IAEA
IAEA
IAEA
IAEA
Procedures
Procedures
Procedures
Procedures
MAIN MAIN MAIN MAIN MAIN MAIN MAIN MAIN ACTIVITY ACTIVITY ACTIVITY ACTIVITY ACTIVITY ACTIVITY ACTIVITY OF OF OF OF OF OF OF OF ALMERA ALMERA ALMERA ALMERA
ALMERA ALMERA ALMERA
Teaching Teaching Teaching Teaching Teaching material
material
material
material
for for for for trainee trainee trainee trainee (guide
(guide
(guide
(guide
book, book, book, book, DVD, DVD, DVD, DVD, etc.)
etc.)
etc.)
etc.)
Training/
Training/
Training/
Training/
workshop workshop
workshop
workshop
workshop
Training Training Training Training Training in
in
in
in
IAEA
IAEA
IAEA
IAEA
procedures
procedures
procedures
procedures
Radioecology/
Radioecology/
Radioecology/
Radioecology/
Environment Environment Environment Environment impact
impact
impact
impact
assessment
assessment
assessment
assessment

Analytical Analytical Analytical performance performance performance of of of the the the ALMERA ALMERA ALMERA members: members: members: PROFICIENCY
PROFICIENCY
PROFICIENCY
TESTS TESTS TESTS TESTS AND AND AND AND INTERCOMPARISONS
INTERCOMPARISONS
INTERCOMPARISONS
INTERCOMPARISONS
A primary requirement of the
ALMERA members is participation in
the IAEA interlaboratory comparison
exercises which are specifically
organized for ALMERA on a regular
basis
The exercises are designed to monitor
and demonstrate the performance
and analytical capabilities of the
network members, and to identify
gaps and problem areas where further
development is needed

Evaluation of the analytical performance of the
The laboratories participating in the ALMERA
interlaboratory comparison exercises will be
asked to report results to the organizer at
Short-term reporting time and
long-term reporting time
It should be noted that the approach for
evaluation of the results for the rapid and normal
(longer-term) reporting time may be carried out
on a different basis. This is because it cannot be
expected that the same trueness and precision
would be reached for a rapid analysis as for a
longer-term analysis
ALMERA members

Evaluation of the analytical performance of the
The The The performance
performance
evaluation evaluation results results of of of the
the
interlaboratory
interlaboratory
comparison comparison exercises exercises
exercises
performed performed in in the the the frame
frame
of of the the ALMERA ALMERA network
network
are are not not not anonymous
anonymous anonymous for
for
those those laboratories
laboratories
nominating nominating to
to
participate participate as as as ALMERA
ALMERA
members. members.
members.
ALMERA members

Evaluation of the analytical performance of the
ALMERA members

1996 1996 2001
2001
Intercomparison Intercomparison - Survey Survey to to assess assess the the radiological radiological situation situation at at Mururoa & Fangataufa
2005
2005
ALMERA interlaboratory comparison exercises
Proficiency Proficiency Test Test - 53 53 participants participants from from 37 37 countries countries - (IAEA/AL/152
(IAEA/AL/152)
(IAEA/AL/152
(IAEA/AL/152
Soil Soil Sampling Sampling Sampling Intercomparison Intercomparison Exercise Exercise Exercise (IAEA/SIE/01)
(IAEA/SIE/01)
10 10 participants participants from from 10 10 countries countries - The The report report report published published in in 2008
2008
2006
2006
Gamma Gamma Gamma emitting emitting emitting RN RN Proficiency Proficiency Test Test - 39 39 participants participants participants from from 28 28 countries countries The
The
report report published published published in in 2007 2007 (IAEA/AL/170
(IAEA/AL/170)
(IAEA/AL/170
2007
2007
Po Po-210 Po 210 Proficiency Proficiency Test Test Test - 33 33 participants participants from from 26 26 countries
countries
2007 2007
2007
Gamma Gamma emitting emitting RN RN RN Proficiency Proficiency Test
Test
2008 2008
2008
Phosphogypsum Phosphogypsum + water water
2009
2009
Simulated Simulated Air Air Filters Filters
Filters
2010 2010 2011
2011
Natural Natural radionuclides radionuclides in in water water & & Ra Ra-226 Ra 226 in in soil
soil
Radionuclides Radionuclides in in water water & & soil soil
soil
In In-situ In situ situ Intercomparison Intercomparison Scenario Scenario (ISIS) (ISIS) - Austria, Austria, vicinity vicinity of of Vienna
Vienna
(16 (16-20 (16
20 April April 2007) 2007) 2007) - Organised Organised by by the the the Austrian Austrian Research Research Center in
in
cooperation cooperation with with IAEA IAEA
IAEA

ALMERA regional coordinating centers
The regional coordinating
centers should should rotate rotate every every five
five
years years between members of the
same regional group.
Regional groups can propose
and carry on specific programs
on the basis of local needs,
with the support of IAEA

ALMERA Training courses
Coincidence Summing and Geometry
Corrections in Gamma Ray Spectrometry
July 2010 – IAEA, Seibersdorf

ALMERA Training courses
Training of Member States technicians

ALMERA ALMERA Publications
Publications
(http://www
(http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/ResultsPage.asp
(http://www pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/ResultsPage.asp
pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/ResultsPage.asp)
pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/ResultsPage.asp
Analytical Analytical Analytical Analytical Quality Quality Quality Quality in in in in
Nuclear Nuclear Nuclear Nuclear Applications Applications Applications Applications Series Series Series Series Papers Papers Papers Papers
Other Other Other Other Publications
Publications
Publications
Publications

ALMERA ALMERA ALMERA ALMERA ALMERA ALMERA ALMERA NEWSLETTERS
NEWSLETTERS
NEWSLETTERS
NEWSLETTERS
NEWSLETTERS
NEWSLETTERS
NEWSLETTERS
Biannually published since 2009
• ALMERA meeting
• ALMERA PT
• Analytical method developed
• Training/workshop
• Consultant/advisory meeting
• Regional ALMERA focal point Lab.
• Event
http:// http://www http:// www www-pub.iaea.org
www pub.iaea.org
pub.iaea.org/MTCD/
/MTCD/publications
/MTCD/ publications
publications/newsletter.asp
publications newsletter.asp
newsletter.asp?id=146
newsletter.asp ?id=146

http://nucleus.iaea.org/rpst/
ALMERA ALMERA ALMERA ALMERA Web Web Web Web Page
Page
Page
Page

Preparation Preparation of of IAEA IAEA procedures: procedures: the the process
process
Review relevant papers
Select 1-2 candidate procedures
Review candidate procedures in
consultant meeting
Validate candidate procedures
Prepare a draft of procedure
Review the draft in IAEA publication committee
Publish as IAEA Procedure

Key Key points points considered considered in in development development of of procedures
procedures
Reliability Reliability Analysis Analysis time time time
Cost
Cost
• Accuracy
• Precision
Key Key points
points
•Rapid •Cheap

Measurement Techniques to be considered
Gamma-spectrometry
Gamma spectrometry
Alpha-Spectrometry
Alpha Spectrometry
LSC
MS
ICP-MS ICP MS
Gas-pro
Equipments
LSC
ZnS
Grid
Alpha-spec
In-Situ
Gamma-spec
Equipments in ALMERA member Lab
0 20 40 60 80 100
Percentage of Lab. (%)

Summary Developed IAEA IAEA Procedures
Sample
matrix
Aerosol
Soil
Sediment
Terrestrial
surf. water
Milk
Phospho
gypsum
Pu isot. isot
Ο
for for last last 5 5 years years
241 Am
Method
90 Sr
Nuclides
210 Po
Ο
Ο
210 Pb
Ο
Rapid method
226+228 Ra
Ο
U
Ο
Th
Ο

Proposed Long-Term Long Term Plan for Development of
IAEA Procedure for Routine Monitoring
Priority
1
2
3
4
5
6
Sample matrix
Aerosols
Soil, sediment,
herbage, water,
diet, milk
Soil, sediment
Water
Air
Herbage, diet
Radionuclides
Gamma emitters
Gamma emitters
including I-131 I 131
NORM/TENORM
NORM
I-131 131
H-3, 3, C-14 C 14
Measurement technique
proposed
Gamma spectrometry
Gamma spectrometry
Gamma-spectrometry
Gamma spectrometry
Alpha-spectrometry
Alpha spectrometry
LSC (Rn-222) (Rn 222) , ICP-MS ICP MS (U
isotopes)
Gamma spectrometry
LSC

Proposed Long-Term Long Term Plan for Development of
IAEA Procedure for Emergency Monitoring
Priority
1
2
3
4
Sample matrix
Water, air, soil,
diet
Aerosol, water
Air
Water
Radionuclides
Exotic nuclides of
emerging interest
Gross alpha/beta
I-131 131
U
Measurement technique
proposed
LSC, gas proportional
counter
Gamma-spectrometry
Gamma spectrometry
ICP-MS ICP MS

Proposal Proposal for for Future Future PT/IC PT/IC
Organize minimum 1 PT or IC per year
Sample matrix and target nuclides -
recommendations from ALMERA meeting, advisory
meeting of reference material and consultant
meeting
Reference material including nuclides interest in
terms of decommissioning, long-term storage of
radioactive waste, isotopic ratio measurement (e.g.
240 Pu/ 239 Pu)

Future Plan for IAEA Procedures
Guidance Guidance Book Book Book on on on environmental environmental environmental radioactivity
radioactivity
radioactivity
measurement:
measurement:
•Sampling
•Sample and source preparation
•Gross alpha/beta counting
•Gamma-spectrometry
•Alpha-spectrometry
•LSC
•ICP-MS
•Method validation

Future Plan for IAEA Procedures
IAEA IAEA Procedures
Procedures
Consultant meeting to select 1 -2 candidate
procedures, especially for rapid method
Validate candidate procedures – collaboration with
ALMERA members
Prepare the draft – outsource to an expert
laboratory
Submit the draft to IAEA Publication Committee

Proposal for Training/Workshop in Future
ALMERA
Group Group Training Training course
course
Topics of training course – expand to methodology of
alpha and beta nuclides by alpha-spec., LSC and gas
proportional counter
Target nuclide and sample matrix for training are regional
interest.
Focal point laboratory of each regional ALMERA group –
leading group training course for IAEA procedures
(ALMERA Members involved in method validation
contribute for the training)

Proposal for Training/Workshop in Future
ALMERA
Workshop
Workshop
Workshop with regional specific topic – combine with
annual ALMERA coordination meeting.
Host laboratory for regional ALMERA meeting –
invite regional lecturer.

Proposal for Future ALMERA Meeting
Annual ALMERA meeting
hosted in turn by 5 regional focal point
laboratories (Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,
Africa and Middle East).
Consists of
• PT
• Development of procedure
• Radioecology/environment impact
assessment
• Workshop with regional specific topic
Next Next Next coordination coordination meeting: meeting: Vienna, Vienna, 55-7
5 7 september 2011
2011

The Future…….
Training Training on on “Measurement “Measurement of of natural natural radionuclides radionuclides in in environment
environmental
environment al
samples samples samples and and NORMs by gamma spectrometry: spectrometry: experimental
difficulties difficulties difficulties and and methodologies”
methodologies”
Seibersdorf Seibersdorf or or Monaco, Monaco, 2011
2011
Contact Contact person:
person:
Ms. Ms. Ms. Alessia CECCATELLI
A.Ceccatelli@iaea.org
A.Ceccatelli@iaea.org

The Future…….
Proficiency Proficiency test test on on selected selected natural natural and and
and
artificial artificial radionuclides radionuclides in in water water and and soil soil soil -
2011
2011
Contact Contact person:
person:
Mr. Mr. Abdulghani SHAKHASHIRO
A.Shakhashiro@iaea.org
A.Shakhashiro@iaea.org

The Future……
From 1 st January 2011 Ms.
Iolanda Osvath from the IAEA
Monaco Laboratory takes care
of the ALMERA network
i.osvath@iaea.org
i.osvath@iaea.org
almera@iaea.org
almera@iaea.org

Before leaving…
thanks to ALMERA putative father

grazie
grazie
Umberto Umberto
Umberto

Main Main publications publications since since 2007 2007 (1) (1)
Determination Determination of of 210 Po Po in in environmental environmental materials: materials: materials: A A review review review of of of analytical analytical methodolog
methodology”, methodolog , Appl. Appl. Appl. Radiat Radiat. Radiat
.
sot sot., sot sot.,
., 65, 65, 65, 267 267-279 267 279 (2007).
(2007).
Determination Determination of of Pu isotope concentrations and isotope ratio by ICP ICP-MS: ICP
MS: a a review review of of analytical
analytical
ethodology ethodology”, ethodology ethodology , , J. J. J. Anal. Anal. At. At. Spectrum., Spectrum., 22, 22, 827 827-841 827 841 (2007).
(2007).
Development Development and and application application of of of an an on on-line on line sequential sequential injection injection system system for for the the the separation separation of Pu Pu, Pu
, 210Po 210Po
nd nd 210Pb 210Pb from from environmental environmental samples samples”, samples , Appl. Appl. Radiat Radiat. Radiat
. Isot Isot., Isot
., 66, 66, 223 223-230 223
230 (2008).
(2008).
Quantification Quantification of of measurement measurement uncertainty uncertainty in in the the sequential sequential dete determination dete rmination of of 210Pb 210Pb and and 210Po 210Po by by liquid
liquid
cintillation cintillation counting counting and and alpha alpha-particle alpha particle particle spectrometry
spectrometry”,
spectrometry , Accred Accred. Accred
. . Qual. Assur Assur. Assur
. 13, 691 691-701 691
701 (2008).
(2008).
Method Method validation validation of of a a procedure procedure for for determination determination of of 210Po 210Po in in wwater
w ater using using DDTC DDTC solvent solvent extraction extraction and and
and
r-resin resin resin”, resin , , J. J. Radioanl Radioanl. Radioanl
. Nucl Nucl. Nucl
. Chem., 279, 639 639-646 639
646 646 (2009).
(2009).
Development Development of of extraction extraction chromatographic chromatographic separation separation procedures procedures for for the the the simultaneous simultaneous determination determination determination of
of
ctinides, ctinides, Radiochim Radiochim. Radiochim Radiochim . Acta Acta, Acta
, 97 99-16
9
16 (2009).
(2009).
Rapid Rapid method method for for the the determination determination of of actinides actinides in in soil soil and and sedi sediment sedi ment samples by alpha spectrometry,
adiochim adiochim Acta Acta Acta 97, 395 395-401 395
401 (2009).
(2009).
Validation Validation of of rapid rapid methods methods for for the the determination determination of of radiostrontium in milk, Appl. Radiat Radiat. Radiat
. Isot Isot., Isot
., 67, 786 786- 786
93 93 (2009)
(2009)

Main Main publications publications since since 2007 2007 (2) (2)
A A Procedure Procedure for for the the Rapid Rapid Rapid Determination Determination of of Pu isotopes and Am Am-241 Am
241 in in Soil Soil and and Sediments Sediments Samples Samples by
by
lpha lpha Spectrometry, Spectrometry, IAEA/AQ/11.
IAEA/AQ/11.
A A A Procedure Procedure for for Determination Determination of of Po Po-210 Po 210 in in Water Water Samples Samples by by Alpha Alpha Spectrometry, Spectrometry, IAEA/AQ/12.
IAEA/AQ/12.
Determination Determination of of Pu isotopes isotopes by by alpha alpha spectrometry: spectrometry: a a review review of of analytical analytical methodology, methodol
ogy, J. Radioanal Radioanal. Radioanal
.
ucl ucl. ucl ucl . Chem., Chem., 283, 283, (2010) (2010) 203 203-223. 203 223.
Determination Determination Determination of of Am Am-241: Am 241: a a review review of of analytical analytical methodology, methodology, J. J. J. Radioanal Radioanal. Radioanal
. Nucl Nucl. Nucl
. Chem., 283, (2010)
03 03-223. 03 223.
A A review review paper paper on on Analytical Analytical Methodology Methodology for for the the Determination Determination oof
o f Radium Isotopes in Environmental
amples, amples, (IAEA/AQ/?? (IAEA/AQ/?? in in press)
press)
A A Procedure Procedure for for Sequential Sequential Determination Determination of of Pb Pb-210, Pb 210, Po Po-210, Po 210, 210, U, U, Th and and Ra Ra-226 Ra 226 in in Phosphogypsum by
lpha lpha Spectrometry Spectrometry and and LSC, LSC, IAEA/AQ/??
IAEA/AQ/??
Population Population representative representative nationwide nationwide surveys surveys of of radon radon concentrat concentration concentrat ion in in dwellings: dwellings: review review of of methodology
methodology
nd nd nd measurement measurement techniques, techniques, IAEA/AQ/??
IAEA/AQ/??
A A Combined Combined Procedure Procedure of of Pu isotopes, Am Am-241 Am
241 and and Sr Sr-90 Sr 90 in in Soil, Soil, Sediment Sediment and and Air Air Air filter filter Samples,
Samples,
AEA/AQ/??
AEA/AQ/??
A A Procedure Procedure for for the the Rapid Rapid Rapid Determination Determination of of Sr Sr-89/Sr Sr 89/Sr 89/Sr-90 89/Sr 90 90 in in Milk, Milk, IAEA/AQ/??
IAEA/AQ/??
A A procedure procedure of of the the Rapid Rapid Determination Determination of of Ra Ra-226/Ra Ra 226/Ra 226/Ra-228 226/Ra 228 in in in Water Water Samples Samples by by LSC, LSC, IAEA/AQ/??
IAEA/AQ/??
under under under the the reproducibility reproducibility testing)
testing)