Date

7-11 September 2009

Venue

Hachinohe city, Aomori prefecture, Japan

Host Organizations

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT)

Executing Institution

Nuclear Safety Research Association (NSRA)

Participating countries

Australia, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia,
The Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam

The following codes are selected as common codes for safety analyses.
(1) COOLOD-N2 : Steady-state thermal-hydraulic code
(2) EUREKA2/RR : Nuclear & thermal-hydraulic coupling code for transient change

The 1st workshop of the project was held in Dalat, Vietnam in October, 2008 and it was ended successfully. The subject was to exchange the information on current status of safety analyses of each country, to demonstrate how to install and execute COOLOD-N2 and explanation of sample problems.

The 2009 FNCA workshop on NAA project was jointly held with the workshop on RRT. During the opening session, Prof. M. Ebihara, a project leader of Japan, presented a talk entitled "Goals of the 2009 FNCA workshop on neutron activation analysis project". The session closed with the introduction of participants.
At the beginning of the NAA session, Prof. M. Ebihara presented opening remarks on the activities to be carried out during the workshop, including:

I. Country Reports on resent status of NAA using research reactors
The following country reports were presented by each national representative, in country alphabetical order:

Australia : Dr. J. W. Bennett
Considerable progress has been made over the last 12 months in commissioning the NAA facilities at the 20 MW OPAL research reactor. It has been established that the highly thermalised neutron flux and very stable output over the timescale of hours provide near-ideal conditions for NAA. Measurements of a series of synthetic multi-element standards (SMELS) have demonstrated good accuracy and reproducibility across a wide range of elements.

Bangladesh : Dr. I. Kamal
The activities of NAA group can be divided into four categories: R&D work, analytical service, projects and academic collaboration. Two R&D work were: Determination of neutron capture cross sections using NAA technique using 0.0536ev rare thermal energy and 6 sediment sample collected from Bay of Bengal were analyzed using NAA and compared results with AAS.

China : Prof. B.-F. Ni
China use home made K0 software to work with methodology and application of NAA. Including: 1. Study on multi-elements of sampling behavior of RM from the sample size of gram to mg range. 2. Study on foodstuff structure of north area in china including rice, wheat, drink, vegetables and meat. 3. Air Pollution source identification and trans-boundarying as well as visibility. 4. K0 values determination of some metastable nuclides. The great progress was achieved.

Indonesia : Dr. S. Purwanto
For fiscal year 2009, NAA research group in Indonesia carries on three projects, under the title : "Analysis of toxic elements on food resources", "Monitoring of environment contamination at industrial region" and "Geochemical mapping of Pulo Panjang Banten Provence". The National Seminar and Workshop on NAA has been created as a media to dissemination and making collaboration with the end users.

Japan : Dr. H. Matsue
Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has research reactors JRR-3 and JRR-4. These research reactors are mainly used for neutron beam experiments as neutron scattering technique, neutron radiograph, and prompt gamma-ray analysis. The user support systems of JAEA are under optimization though the neutron activation analysis facilities are constructed.

Japan : Dr. S. Sekimoto
Kyoto University Reactor (KUR) will restart on early 2010. Operation of KUR until 2016 is assured. When KUR restarts, the reactor power will be lowered to 1MW, and the irradiation time extended to 4-5 hours in Pn-1, 2, 3. However, 5MW operation will be carried out in BNCT. New utilization program using KUR, introduction of PGA system and short-lived nuclides measurement system, starts.

Korea : Mr. J.-H. Moon
NAA using HANARO has been applied for a variety of samples. Recently, higher detection sensitivity has been achieved by the implementation of a Compton suppression system. DNAA and PGAA are employed for the determination of uranium in some environmental samples and major constituents in steel samples produced by an industrial company, respectively.

Malaysia : Ms. N. Ashifa
NAA application in Malaysia is being fully utilized for several research projects and service purpose. Several research projects are conducted in close collaboration with local agency. Service analysis is given to external and internal client. Two research projects conducted through FNCA mechanism are Determination of Elemental Pollution in Marine Sediment Sample from Malaysia Coastal Area and Elemental Characterization of Various Rice Grain in Malaysian Local Market.

The Philippines : Ms. P. Pabroa
NAA activities for the Philippines have been limited to the use of neutron sources for the analysis of high cross section elements and the setting-up of a PGNAA facility. PNRI involvement in the project is primarily focused on the capability of the Institute to analyze environmental samples using the EDXRF and for an opportunity to analyze marine sediment samples by NAA using Research Reactors in the other member States. Past activities had been successful in forging linkages especially with our Environmental Management Bureau.

Thailand : Ms. A. Busamongkol
Nuclear activities at Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT) are carried out through the utilization of a TRIGA Mark III. Its major utilization includes isotope production for industrial and medical purposes, neutron scattering experiments, gemstone enhancement and neutron activation analysis in various fields. NAA techniques used are; INAA, PGAA and PNAA/RNAA. Elemental analysis using NAA are; air pollution, heavy metal in soil and sediment, Thai silk products, nail sample and determination of toxic and nutrient minerals in Thai food.

Vietnam : Mr. C. D. Vu
The application of Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) at Dalat Nuclear Research Institute (NRI) and the equipments for this technique are presented. The NAA section at NRI includes Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) and Radiochemical Neutron Activation Analysis (RNAA). Besides, at NRI, there is a system of Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) which is managed and exploited by Dept. of nuclear physics & nuclear electronics).

II. Progress reports by participating countries for individual sub-projects
For each of the subprojects, a lead presentation was made in which an overview was provided and possible project goals were suggested. Presentations were then made by each of the countries that had previously expressed an interest in being involved in each sub-project.

II-1 Geochemical mapping and mineral exploration
Dr. J. W. Bennett (Australia) - lead presentation
We were reminded of the potential applications of geochemical mapping in mineral exploration, environmental monitoring and agriculture. Keys to success will be to set achievable and meaningful goals, involve stakeholders and end-users at all stages, set up strong project management, co-operation between participants and to publicise successes. Countries may choose to participate at a level that matches national priorities, technical capabilities and available resources.

Prof. T. Tanaka (Japan)
Three areas of progress in geochemical mapping sub-project in Japan are reported.
The first is the discovery of "gold pollution" in the city area. Another area of progress has been in the accurate determination of Os and Ir in natural crustal rocks. The Geochemical Mapping Session in the Japan Geoscience Union Meeting which was held on 16-21 May 2009 marked a third area of success.

Dr. Setyo Purwanto (Indonesia)
For fiscal year 2009, project with the title "Geochemical mapping of Pulo Panjang Banten Province" one that funded by Ministry of Education was being done, expected can be reported on FNCA'S meeting on 2010.

II-2 Monitoring of food contaminants
Mr. J.-H. Moon (Korea) - lead presentation
Food samples such as some kinds of cooked rice and red ginseng were analyzed by INAA. Toxic metals like As, Cd, Hg could not be detected from most of the analyzed samples. By the analysis of red ginseng, we found one interesting trend, which many elements are concentrated in the head part of red ginseng.

Prof. B.-F. Ni (China)
Four kinds of rice (Hebei, Sichuan, Yueyang, Liaoning), wheat, Carrot, celery, Onion, Pig Liver, Shrimp and Green Tea have been selected form Market. About 30 elements have been determined by K0 method. Toxic and nutrition as well as general elements were classified. The results indicated that on big difference of the elements concentration. But there are high concentration of Se, Zn, As in liver and shrimp compare with the other food. And very high concentration of Mn in tea, 10 times higher than others.

Dr. S. Purwanto (Indonesia)
During fiscal year 2008-2009, determination of toxic elements and micro-macro nutrient in foodstuff by neutron activation analysis has been done. The kind of samples are vegetables, legume, mace, and flavor. The samples had been collected from market Serpong-Banten Province. Arsenic concentration in fish and rice and also Hg concentration in fish and red chili exceed the government permission value.

Prof. M. Fukushima (Japan)
Six species of edible seaweeds were analyzed by NAA and obtained the total levels of 12 elements. Also dietary fiber were separated from seaweeds, and obtained non-bioavailable levels of elements by analyzing dietary fiber.

Ms. N. Ashifa (Malaysia)
Two groups of rice had been collected for elemental characterization namely cultivated and hill rice. Elements were group into essential macronutrient, micronutrient and others. Black Glutinous Rice originated from Indonesia obtained significant amount of K, Co, Cr, Fe and Zn. Husk Open and Brown Rice have high As content. Averagely high amount of Fe and Mn in rice could attribute from granite geological background.

Ms. A. Busamongkol (Thailand)
Rice is the major food item to most Thai people: high nutrition, high energy, low cost and long shelf. Six select varieties of rice were bought from three major local markets in Bangkok, Thailand. Elemental composition in rice samples were analyzed by using INAA technique. Elements detected are: Al, As, Br, Cl, K, Mg, Mn & Zn. The data show that K & Mg were found higher in all samples. A toxic elements; As & Cd were found do not exceed the standard recommended by the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand.

Mr. C. D. Vu (Vietnam)
The concentration of trace elements in the foodstuff samples collected by marked basket study from some locations of Hochiminh city, Ninhthuan and Lamdong provinces were analyzed by INAA, RNAA and AAS methods. The daily intake of adults in these areas were estimated and compared to those of some standards. The results show that the daily intakes are lower than the permissible limits according to Vietnam standard.

II-3 Monitoring of environmental contamination
Prof. M. Matsuo (Japan) - lead presentation
Lead speech for overview and recent progress was made by Prof. Matsuo. Features of environmental samples were summarized and the usefulness of NAA method in these samples was emphasized. Four objectives of the project were listed. To achieve international collaboration, common sampling method and sample treatment were proposed. Core sampling was strongly recommended as a common sampling method. Two case studies in his research group were also introduced.

Dr. I. Kamal (Bangladesh)
The following research works performed were presented in this session: i) Ground water contamination with arsenic in eastern region of Bangladesh ii) Comparison of analytical results of Bay of Bengal Sediments with agricultural soils of Bangladesh; iii) Monitoring of Environmental Contaminants due to Ship breaking. iv) Geochemical Mapping and Mineral Exploration in Cox's Bazar.

Dr. S. Purwanto (Indonesia)
Monitoring of Environment Contamination at Industrial Region (PLTU Labuhan), Banten-Indonesia has been done. The k0-INNA analysis method has been used to determine the pollutant, some heavy metal in the soil and plant samples. The element of Na, K, Ca, Sc, As, Br, La, Sm, Eu, Cr, Fe, Co, Zn, Rb, Sb, Cs, Nd, Tb, Lu, Hf, Ta and Th have been determined in Estuari sediment.

Ms. N. Ashifa (Malaysia)
Sediment samples of Sarawak coastal area were collected from 11 sampling stations. Total of 29 elemental results were obtained from NAA procedure. All sampling sites showed high enrichment of As with several stations recorded EF value more than factor of 10. This project has provided information on current status of environmental pollution in Sarawak coastal area. Data obtained from this study will be incorporated into the Malaysian Marine Pollution Database.

Ms. P. Pabroa (The Philippines)
Marine sediment samples from two sampling sites-the Manila Bay and the Sorsogon Bay- have been and will be collected to determine the trace and toxic element inputs in these two bodies of water and correlate these inputs with time using data on 210Pb dating. Studies on these sites have been conducted mainly to determine the history of pollutant inputs in the bays and assess its impact in the ecosystem (in part, its relationship to harmful algal bloom).

Mr. C. D. Vu (Vietnam)
The nuclear related analytical methods of INAA, AAS, etc., were applied to analyze some collected samples of marine matters along the coast of Ba Ria - Vung Tau. Investigated concentration of elements in the surface water samples, such as As (0.16-0.24 ppm), Cd (0.23-0.74 ppm), Cu (0.78-1.33 ppm), Hg (0.039-0.062 ppm), Pb (0.45-1.59 ppm) are extremely lower than their limited amount in the index of Vietnamese standard.

III. Discussion of objectives, goals and implementation
After hearing all progress reports, a comprehensive discussion was done under the chairmanship of a subproject leader and Prof. M. Ebihara for each subproject. These discussions considered objectives, goals, potential for cooperation, work-sharing and road-mapping. In each case there was a focus on potential end-users.

III-1 Geochemical mapping and mineral exploration
The point was made often that it is vital to consult with national agencies that are responsible for resource and mineral development. The initial objectives would be to provide information on the capabilities and benefits of using NAA for geochemical characterisation and to gain an understanding of the needs of the potential end users. The eventual goal is to form strong linkages that would lead to long term projects at the national level.
A suggestion was made that a high-quality brochure could be produced by the FNCA to promote the applications and benefits of NAA in the field of geoscience. The brochure could illustrate applications in geochemical mapping and mineral exploration. NAA should be presented as an adjunct to more widely used methods such as XRF and ICP-MS and its potential role in quality control should be highlighted. Such a brochure would be helpful in the introductory phase of consultations with end-users.
A proposal was received to undertake a laboratory inter-comparison of three different types of sediment materials. The outcomes of the project would be:
 

a)	to demonstrate the capabilities of the participating laboratories and to understand the reason for any differences;
b)	to compare the results from different methods of NAA standardisation (k0 and relative), different k0 software tools and different techniques (e.g. XRF);
c)	to contribute data for the characterisation of three reference materials for use in geochemical mapping; and
d)	promotion of the joint capabilities of the FNCA member countries.

It is expected that a journal paper would be written.
The following countries expressed a willingness to participate in the laboratory inter-comparison: Australia, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Japan (involving around 5 different laboratories), Malaysia (possibly also using ICP-MS) and The Philippines (using XRF).
It was agreed by all participants that geochemical mapping using NAA has the potential to make a significant contribution to national development. It was also understood, however, that it may take some years before national geoscience agencies recognise the distinct capabilities our technique has to offer and integrate NAA into the suite of tools that are routinely used.

III-2 Monitoring of food contaminants
Representatives from six countries participating in the sub-project of food analysis such as China, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, have presented the analytical results of a variety of food samples. Firstly, we discuss the elemental concentration level of the rice samples which had been selected as a common target material. Arsenic concentration in the rice samples was estimated to be less than the permissible (regulation) limit of each country. Regarding to the other toxic metals, we did not detect them by conventional INAA. However, Vietnam demonstrated that radiochemical NAA is applicable for the detection of other toxic metals such as Cu, Cd, Sb, Se and so on. In addition, the analytical results of the other food samples which were targeted by each participating countries' purpose, were discussed and compared in terms of nutritional and harmful viewpoint of human health.
Finally, the discussion was executed for the next year's FNCA workshop and tea is chosen as a common target sample, since it is so popular to the participating countries and expected to contain higher elemental contents than other plant samples.

III-3 Monitoring of environmental contamination
Implementation plan of the sub-project 3 was discussed. According to the discussion, following three objectives were reconfirmed:

 a) to detect the environmental changes through core samples of marine sediments
 b) to identify the level of toxic or harmful elements in sediment samples
    (ex. As, Sb, Cr, Cd and so on)
 c) to identify the sources of pollution in sediment samples (Natural or anthropogenic origin?)

In order to achieve the above objectives, core sampling method was agreed to detect the past environment as well as surface sampling for monitoring spatial changes of contaminants. In a few countries, 210Pb method was used to know the sedimentation rate. This method can be a common protocol among FNCA countries hopefully.
The following six countries presented recent progresses of sub-project 3: Bangladesh, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, The Philippines and Vietnam. Among them, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Japan and The Philippines expressed their agreement to apply core sampling method to their sediment samples. On the other hand, Malaysia and Vietnam expressed the surface sampling method due to their own situation. It was proposed that all the data should be accumulated toward the next FNCA workshop to achieve the assessment of present and past marine environmental pollution in Asian countries. Finally, construction of common mail group was proposed in order to communicate each other easily.

IV. Free discussion for the future of NAA project
As this workshop is the second one in the three-years term of the third phase of NAA project and is held at the turning point of the term, we have discussed our future plan under the chairmanship of Prof. M. Ebihara. At the beginning of the discussion, he asked all countries to explain their stance (or attitude) toward FNCA workshop. All countries expressed very positive opinions for such requests and acknowledged that the FNCA workshop is considerably important for individual participants and their communities as well. Thus, we unanimously agreed to show our intention of continuing the NAA project within FNCA at the coordinators meeting.
Then, our discussion was focussed on the content of project. After extensive discussion, we came to the following conclusions;
 

a)	We choose several common target materials to which NAA is applied.
b)	Candidates of such targets materials include samples related with forensic science, herbal leaves and reference materials. Beside these new candidates, geochemical samples, food stuffs and marine sediments were also nominated.
c)	Discussion on target materials is continued by all members through web and e-mail.

The workshop was formally closed by Professor Ebihara who thanked all participants for their valuable contributions and the very positive outcomes that were achieved.