Summary Report of
FNCA FY2015 Workshop on Neutron Activation Analysis Project
November 25-27, 2015
Daejeon, Korea
Preface:
The Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) Project is one of the research reactor-related projects in the FNCA. During the opening session, Prof. Ebihara, presented an overview of the FNCA NAA Project and major issues of the workshop.
Session 1: Activities related to future plans (Air pollution and mineral resources)
Session 2: Efforts for promotion of NAA and establishment of linkages with appropriate end-users of NAA
The technical visit was held on 25 November, before the workshop. The participants of the FNCA workshop visited the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), including the HANARO research reactor, NAA laboratory, neutron scattering facilities and radioisotope production facilities.
Summary:
Session 1: Activities related to future plans (Air pollution and mineral resources)
Australia
As a preliminary activity, an inter-laboratory comparison was organized by Australia with a focus on rare earth elements (REEs). Three certified reference materials were chosen and distributed to the participating countries: Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Japan, Vietnam and Australia. Mongolia and Japan did not have access to a reactor for NAA and so used ICP-MS. Preliminary assessment of the results has commenced. It is planned to prepare a paper for presentation at the International Conference on Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry in April 2016 and subsequent publication in a journal.
Bangladesh
Analytical results of the three mineral standard samples supplied by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) under the inter-laboratory proficiency test program of 2015 were reported in this workshop. Elemental concentrations of a total of 28 elements including 10 REEs were determined by instrumental NAA (INAA) with the relative standardization approach. Statistical analysis (Z-score values) of the all analytical results submitted by member countries of this sub-project reveals that our data are fairly well in agreement with the certified values of the supplied standard samples. Analytical results of some Bangladeshi sand samples and heavy minerals separated from beach sands were also reported.
China
Samples of airborne particulate matter (APM), including PM2.5 and PM10, were collected in Beijing twice a week this year. The samples were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE). Five and four sources of pollution were identified from PM2.5 and PM10, respectively. Based on the experience of the APM program, a new team of nuclear analytical techniques (NAA, total reflection XRF, accelerator mass spectrometry, laser induced plasma spectroscopy) for APM has been established and a new big project is being prepared with the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences. We also analysed the REE samples from Australia by NAA.
Indonesia
Two main programs supported by the Indonesian government for the period 2015-2019 have been presented in this workshop. Those programs consist of Air Pollution Study and Macro-micro Analysis for Malnutrition Prevalence. The air pollution study is a national program that is supported by five research centers of BATAN and 15 regional environment agencies, as well as the Ministry of Environment. Meanwhile the Macro-micro Analysis for Malnutrition Prevalence Study is also supported by three centers of BATAN and the Ministry of Health.
Japan
Rare earth elements, Th and U were determined by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Because chemical yields of REEs were not determined for the first preliminary run, obtained values seem to be systematically lower than certified values. Considering that our REEs, Th and U data for chondritic meteorites are precise as well as accurate, these elements in the three reference samples will be determined precisely and accurately at the same level as that for meteorites. Once a new set of data becomes available, we can compare our ICP-MS data with those of INAA as well as certified values.
Kazakhstan
Based on current national programs in the area of geology, the main activities relating to future plans were presented, such as: REEs and rare metals (RM) analysis while exploring complex REE-RM deposits; complex analysis of Au deposits for main, accompanying and indicative elements; Au analysis in small volume samples; and REE and RM analysis in U ore and U production wastes. Additional NAA activity can be associated with air pollution investigation, with the help of bio-indicators such as mosses and tree leaves.
Korea
Korea has started one project with respect to air pollution, in 2015. The project title is "source apportionment of airborne pollutions for conservation of stone culture in Baekje area using INAA". The project goal is to assess adverse effects to cultural properties by exposure of hazardous air pollutants. Samples are being collected now and long-term and continuous monitoring of hazardous pollutants will be carried out.
Malaysia
In Malaysia, NAA has been utilized regularly for the determination of U and Th in environmental and geochemical materials. However the technique has not been used extensively for the analysis of APM for the purpose of determining source fingerprints and apportionments. In this FNCA project, the technique will be given special attention, in an effort to provide useful information to characterize the APM owing to its multi-element capability, high sensitivity and high accuracy. In this FNCA project also, the application of the NAA technique to geochemical samples will be extended for REE determination as there is economic potential in these elements.
Mongolia
The main air pollution sources for both PM2.5 and PM10-2.5 particles of Ulaanbaatar city are soil, combustion and vehicles, based on ED-XRF analysis results of APM collected since 2009 at the Nuclear Research Center of the National University of Mongolia. However detailed pollution source apportionment of Ulaanbaatar city should be combined with organics, ion, NAA and other analyses, rather than XRF analysis only. Also, we have determined major and minor elements in REE ore samples from the Mushgia Khudag, Lugiin Gol deposit using XRF and NAA.
The Philippines
Air pollution continues to be a major concern to various stakeholders all over the world. Nuclear and related analytical techniques (NATs) e.g. PIXE and EDXRF, and with the use of receptor modeling and HYSPLIT, can answer the questions 1) what are the sources of air pollutants; 2) how much is the contribution of each; and, 3) where are these coming from. NAA can be useful in providing additional elements for fingerprinting of other critical air pollution sources, e.g. coal-fired power plant.
Thailand
Thailand continued a project on food safety. The concentration of trace elements in canned food was investigated by NAA. The 30 samples from 15 kinds of canned food product were purchased from supermarkets in Bangkok, Thailand. The results show that toxic elements were not detected in any canned samples, indicating that canned foods are safe to consume.
Vietnam
About 29 elements in 96 APM samples collected in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) were analyzed by k0-NAA using the Dalat research reactor. The data are going to be processed by the US Environmental Protection Agency positive matrix factorization model PMF 5.0 software. For the air pollution sub-porject in the next period, Vietnam has participated in the IAEA/RCA RAS 7203 project on "Supporting Sustainable Air Pollution Monitoring Using Nuclear Analytical Technology". The k0-NAA can be applied for the APMs which would be collected in Hanoi through the above mentioned RAS 7203 project. We have participated in the FNCA inter-laboratory comparison program (3 samples of REEs with 21 elements were determined by k0-NAA). Efforts were done to collect 6 REE ore samples from the field and 19 elements were analyzed by k0-NAA and ICP-MS as well.
Session 2: Efforts for promotion of NAA and establishment of linkages with appropriate end-users of NAA
Australia
ANSTO is undergoing a major restructure of its Nuclear Science and Technology portfolio. Key objectives are to promote industry engagement and to maximize the impact of ANSTO's research and innovation. Engagement with end-users remains high for the NAA laboratory. In recent years the percentage of industry clients has been increasing steadily, compared with university researchers. There has also been increasing demand for NAA from ANSTO researchers and business units. There are plans to develop the capability to perform radiochemical NAA to expand the number of potential end-users.
Bangladesh
In this workshop different steps taken in our institute during the past several years to establish linkages with appropriate end-users of NAA were presented. Specific applications of NAA to meet national priority needs and authorized by high level management of the relevant organizations in Bangladesh were also reported. Our future plans to improve NAA capabilities to increase end-users were also discussed.
China
A new NAA system is being built at China Advanced Research Reactor (CARR) in China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE). The system includes INAA, prompt gamma activation analysis (PGAA), neutron depth profiling and delayed neutron counting. Air pollution is a serious problem in China especially PM2.5. NAA, combined with other nuclear analytical methods, is a powerful tool in air pollution research. The NAA laboratory in CIAE collaborates with the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences and the Environment Protection Bureau for the research. In the future, the NAA laboratory in CIAE will concentrate on air pollution to meet national priority needs. Also, NAA will be continued to be used in the fields of geology, archaeology, life science, reference materials, environmental science and so on.
Indonesia
Promotion of NAA has been done through various ways, including the national seminars and workshops involving various universities, such as the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), the Bogor Agriculture University (IPB) and the University of Indonesia (UI), as well as stakeholders. Linkages have been established with 15 Regional Environment Agencies, the Ministry of Environment and the Environmental Management Center (EMC) to undertake the Air Pollution Study. Future perspectives of NAA will involve the Malnutrition Prevalence Study and the establishment of the epithermal INAA method at the Kartini reactor of the Center for Science and Technology of Accelerators, Yogyakarta. NAA will be applied in the areas of food, agriculture, health and medicine within the National Program.
Japan
In the Kyoto University Research Reactor (KUR), we push forward: (1) new scientific research in the complex basic science in atomic energy fields; (2) personnel training in the field of atomic energy sciences; and (3) joint or co-operative use and creation of collaborative investigations including NAA, PGAA, and the effective use of radioactive elements. The number of research reactors has decreased in Japan and therefore the role of KUR has become of great importance.
Kazakhstan
Efforts for the promotion of NAA by the Institute of Nuclear Physics RK were demonstrated: creation of a NAA sector for short-lived radionuclide analysis; buying a new specialized gamma-ray spectrometer and certified reference materials; analytical laboratory accreditation; developing new INAA analytical techniques; integrating different methods of elemental analysis; carrying out international proficiency tests; and financing participation in international conferences. Linkages with a range of end-users in the fields of mineral resources exploration and air pollution investigation were established. A specific application of NAA helps to counteract the illegal movement of fissionable materials.
Korea
In order to promote the application of NAA and to establish linkages with end-users, Korea has made diverse efforts during the past several years. For example, we concluded a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) in 2013 and are drafting an agreement document for the operation of a joint research center to produce reference materials. We are waiting for the operation of HANARO to apply NAA in a variety of application fields such as archaeology, identification of fake Au bars, nano-materials, human health, meteorites, and so on. Korea anticipates that participating countries in the FNCA project will be able to use the HANARO NAA facilities for the consolidation of cooperative works and superior research outputs once the operation of HANARO re-starts.
Malaysia
Efforts have been made for many years to expand the application of NAA to other areas, rather than being concentrated on environmental studies. This has been done through the organization and participation in seminars, as well as through discussion with several government agencies, especially with those involved in archaeological and geochemical studies. In a collaboration project between the Malaysian Nuclear Agency and Malaysian Geosciences Department on surveying of radioactive minerals reserves, NAA will be used to analyze some samples regularly for comparison with the routine XRF technique. It is hoped the application of NAA can be expanded to other activities related to geochemical work. Promotion for application in archaeological study with the Malaysian Museum Department will also be revived to extend the activities which have been done in the past.
Mongolia
Linkages have been established with Nuclear Research Center, mining companies, environmental monitoring organizations, Inspection Agency and Central Geological Laboratory. INAA using a moss bio-monitoring technique and PM2.5-10 will be applied to the study of air pollution. INAA will also be used to determine heavy metals and some toxic elements in environmental samples from mining and industrial areas. There is also interest in a study of REE analysis in geological and ore samples from Mongolia.
The Philippines
Linkages have been established in academe, local government units, non-government organizations and regulatory bodies. A feasibility study will be started for a new research reactor with NAA capability. Specific applications of NAA to meet national priority needs would be in food (for food traceability and safety studies), marine sediments (for natural attenuation studies) and APM (for air pollution source identification and apportionment studies).
Thailand
Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT) has plans to undertake maintenance of the reactor and improve the laboratory in order to gain more end-users. We have continued our efforts to create linkages with the fine arts department, Ministry of Culture and Kasetsart University. Moreover, we have continued our service center for customers from many companies.
Vietnam
Efforts have included: a new project that has been conducted for the development of new techniques and the enhancement of automation for NAA in Dalat research reactor; establishment of linkages with appropriate end-users with universities in Dalat, HCMC, Hanoi and Danang; NAA has contributed in training and education of young staff and approximately 100 student per year; linkages in the environmental protection sector; linkages in the mineral resources and archaeological sectors; and linkages with foreign end-users in Korea (KAERI) and Russia (JINR). NAA has continued to be applied in traditional fields of archaeology, biology and environment. We are going to extend applications to the characterization of polymer materials of electrical cables of safety systems for nuclear power plants by NAA and other techniques.
Session 3: General Discussion
The discussion was held in the context of the forthcoming Coordinators' Meeting that will decide on the continuation of the NAA Project into Phase 5 for the next three years. Consideration was given to common goals, benefits arising from participation, outputs and outcomes.
It was agreed that the two proposed sub-projects in air pollution and mineral resources were of common interest throughout member countries, representing the opportunity to demonstrate social or economic benefit through participation. Either one or both of the sub-projects were in line with the national priorities of several countries. The proposed activities naturally lead to strong linkages with key end-users, government health agencies and the minerals and mining industry. The 3-year sub-project programs that were proposed at the workshop last year were endorsed for consideration at the next Coordinators' Meeting.
The participants enthusiastically pointed to many continuing benefits arising from the activities of the NAA Project. The networks established through FNCA activities facilitate cooperation for sharing information, ideas and knowledge, lifting NAA capabilities throughout the region. NAA is a method which requires a high level of skill in its practitioners and FNCA inter-laboratory comparisons provide the means to ensure high standards are achieved and sustained. NAA is often the main utilization of a research reactor and it is vital that the results produced are of high quality in order to meet the needs end-users.
NAA provides an independent analytical capability that can contribute to the achievement of national strategic goals. The capability also demonstrates the national value of operating a research reactor for strategic benefit. Those member countries that are currently considering the purchase of a research reactor value the advice and assistance that can be obtained through the FNCA network, in particular for the design of NAA facilities and their potential applications. During periods of extended reactor shutdown, personal relationships developed through the FNCA have facilitated bilateral arrangements with operating research reactors to ensure that NAA samples from end-users can continue to be analysed.
All member countries value the opportunity to co-author journal papers on joint activities carried out through the NAA Project. Such publications have several benefits, including promotion of the capabilities of nuclear science and NAA, and raising the profile of collaborative FNCA activities within the region. At the national level these publications highlight the scientific merit of the NAA group, provide a justification for accessing financial support from government agencies, and enhance the confidence of end-users in the use of NAA.
Conclusions
1. |
The two proposed sub-projects in air pollution and mineral resources were agreed for common interest for the next phase. Each country showed its interest in either one or both of the sub-projects, as summarised below. |
| Country |
Air pollution - SPM |
Mineral resources - REE |
| Australia |
x |
x |
| Bangladesh |
|
x |
| China |
x |
x |
| Indonesia |
x |
x |
| Japan |
x |
x |
| Kazakhstan |
|
x |
| Korea |
x |
|
| Malaysia |
x |
x |
| Mongolia |
x |
x |
| The Philippines |
x |
(x) |
| Thailand |
(x) |
(x) |
| Vietnam |
x |
x |
x - intention to participate
(x) - participation subject to national ratification
2. |
During the period of planned or unplanned shutdown of research reactors, personal relationships developed through the FNCA can facilitate bilateral arrangements for the continuation of NAA, which can contribute to the end users without disruption.
|
3. |
Through the collaborative FNCA activities of NAA project, participating countries have several benefits, including promotion of the capabilities of NAA, increasing the analytical capability and reliability of NAA, and appealing the confidence of NAA to end-users. |
|
