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Workshop


FNCA 2014 Workshop on Research Reactor Utilization

Report of
FNCA FY2014 Workshop on Neutron Activation Analysis Project

November 4-6, 2014
Quezon City, Philippines



FNCA FY2014 Workshop on Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) was held from November 4 to 6, 2014, in Quezon City, Philippines. This Workshop was hosted by Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) and Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan.


The NAA Workshop was attended by 15 participants from 11 FNCA member countries, namely Australia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, including workshop staffs.

    

Neutron activation analysis is an elemental analysis method by measuring the radioactivity of radionuclides produced by neutron irradiation of target samples. This method has an excellent analytical capability of simultaneous and non-destructive determination of multiple elements in the sample. The current project consists of three subprojects (shown below) in which scientific as well as socio-economic contributions are aimed by utilizing NAA technique.
The workshop consisted of the following sessions. Each country presented the progress and so on, in corresponding session(s).

 Session 1: Activities of three subprojects,
 Session 2: Establishment of linkages with appropriate end-users of NAA,
 Session 3: Plan for next phase.

Open Seminar
The Open Seminar was held on 6 November, after the completion of the workshop. After the opening ceremony, Perspectives of nuclear applications in the Philippines was delivered by Dr. Alumanda M. Dela Rosa (Philippines), then topical reports on the application of neutron activation analysis (NAA) were presented by workshop participants Prof. Mitsuru Ebihara (Japan), Dr. John Bennett (Australia), Dr. Syed Mohammod Hossain (Bangladesh) and Mr. Raymond J. Sucgang (Philippines).


Summary Report of
FNCA FY2014 Workshop on Neutron Activation Analysis Project

November 4-6, 2014
Quezon City, Philippines


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.

The workshop consisted of the following 3 sessions:

Session 1: Activities of three subprojects,
Session 2: Establishment of linkages with appropriate end-users of NAA,
Session 3: Plan for next phase,

The Open Seminar was held on 6 November, after the completion of the workshop. After the opening ceremony, Perspectives of nuclear applications in the Philippines was delivered by Dr. Alumanda M. Dela Rosa (Philippines), then topical reports on the application of neutron activation analysis (NAA) were presented by workshop participants Prof. Mitsuru Ebihara (Japan), Dr. John Bennett (Australia), Dr. Syed Mohammod Hossain (Bangladesh) and Mr. Raymond J. Sucgang (Philippines).

Summary:

Session 1: Activities of three sub-projects

Australia
Following a presentation by John Bennett on the proficiency test activities of the FNCA at an IAEA workshop in Vienna in May 2013, the IAEA has agreed to fund the participation of FNCA countries in the next round (and possibly the next two rounds) of IAEA-coordinated proficiency testing. The results will be discussed at an IAEA workshop in Delft in the week starting 31 August 2015, immediately after the MTAA and NAMLS conferences (www.mtaa14.nl).

Bangladesh
Activities undertaken since the last workshop held in Bangkok in March 2014 were reported. Analysis of eighteen geochemical samples collected from the industrial zone of Dhamrai (near the Bata Factory) at six locations with three depth variations revealed that some locations (3 out of 6) are contaminated with heavy metals, especially Cr. Through the analysis of fresh water and sea water fish, poultry and their feed, the following observations were made: i) Arsenic content in all sea fish were significantly higher than the permissible level (1.0 ppm) but in the case of fresh water fish it was below the detection limit (<0.12 ppm); ii) Cr content in some fresh water fish were higher than the permissible limit (>1 ppm; Codex Standard) and the probable source is locally produced feed; iii) Cr content in all sea fish were below the detection limit (<0.70 ppm) ; iv) Arsenic accumulation in fish bone was lower than fish flesh, whereas the opposite tendency of accumulation was observed in the case of Cr.

Indonesia
The INAA technique has been applied to geochemical mapping in Banten Province over a 5 year program. Geochemical mapping in Tangerang was last year's activity. From this activity maps of single elements in the Banten area were created. Monitoring of various types of commonly consumed food was conducted to determine the quality of food. This year food samples were taken from traditional markets in Tangerang and analyzed to determine the elemental content in the samples, especially toxic elements. Monitoring of heavy metals in river sediment was carried out in Ciujung and Cimadur Rivers in Banten to determine the quality of the river. The data resulting from this activity are expected to provide a science-based reference for policy making by stakeholders.

Japan
Sediment cores collected in Tokyo Bay were analyzed using INAA. The concentrations of Fe, Mn, U, Th, Ce in sediments were used to reveal the historical changes of hypoxia. Depth profiles of the Pollution Load Index for Tokyo Bay sediments indicated no pollution for the past 40 years. As a result of geochemical mapping, sediments in Yahagi Dam were considered to be a potential rare earth element (REE) resource. Green tea leaves and polished rice samples were analyzed as food samples for contamination monitoring.

Kazakhstan
The main achievements of the Institute of Nuclear Physics RK in two FNCA sub-projects over 3 years were presented, including NAA of geochemical samples for mineral resources exploration and of ecological samples for environmental monitoring. The majority of analytical investigations consisted of REE and Au content analysis in the first sub-project, and toxic and heavy metal content analysis in the second.

Korea
Selenium is known as an essential element for human health and plays a role in preventing chronic degenerative disease. Korea chose 40 plant foods for the analysis of Se by INAA. The Se content in the samples was found to be a few tens of ppb. In comparison with meat and fish, the Se content in plant foods was found to be ten times lower than that in animal foods.

Malaysia
Results were presented from work on the application of NAA in the analysis of marine sediments from the Linggi area and food samples (rice) collected in Kedah, 'the rice bowl of Malaysia'. The sediment results showed that the Linggi area is contaminated with arsenic, chromium, antimony and zinc. There is also enrichment of heavy elements including REE. Industrial activity has been suggested as the cause of the contamination. The analysis of rice indicated that rice from the area is still safe for consumption.

Mongolia
Results were presented from work on the application of INAA to the analysis of river bottom sediments from inflows of the Selenga River basin to assess the impact of contamination from the industrial complex Erdenet and other industrial enterprises in Mongolia. A total of 42 elements were determined by a combination of conventional and epithermal neutron activation analysis at the IBR-2 reactor, FLNP JINR, Dubna. The results showed that the industrial zone of the Erdenet Mining Corporation (EMC) and gold mining zone Zaamar are the sources of strong environmental contamination. These results provide a lot of information for future research.

The Philippines
Philippine and Japanese polished rice samples analyzed by INAA (for elemental) and IRMS (for δ13C signature) showed reduction in elemental components, with one Philippine rice sample being suspected as imported rice exposed to the pesticide methyl bromide during quarantine. Increased levels of Cu, Fe and Zn in sampled Cores I and II from Manila Bay and at Sorsogon Bay can be associated with increased siltation but the high correlation of Cu, Zn and Pb in Core I can be associated with increased industrial activities in the area. Element composition and isotope abundance in Boracay Island samples disproved the local misconception that the alga turns into sand and indicated Sites 6 and 7 to be the most polluted.

Thailand
Thailand continued to participate in the FNCA NAA sub-project on food safety. This year the elemental composition of pork products were investigated by INAA. The 18 samples from 6 kinds of pork products and raw pork hip were bought from 3 supermarkets in Bangkok. The obtained data showed that the ready-to-eat pork products have no contamination and are safe to consume. In other NAA activities, TINT supported a university researcher and serviced 15 requests from companies.

Vietnam
About 20 elements were determined in 9 tuna fish samples, collected in Nha Trang. Hg concentrations were all less than the WHO tolerable allowance. More than 30 elements were determined in 50 marine sediment samples, collected in Ca Mau, in which the enrichment factors (EFs) were almost all less than 3 except for Th with an EF value of around 3.5. Further work, e.g. the ecological risk index (Ri), will be calculated to assess the potential ecological risk for heavy metal contamination.

Session 2: Establishment of linkages with appropriate end-users of NAA

Australia
There is a national policy in Australia to encourage linkages between government-funded science agencies and industry. The group at ANSTO has had recent successes in demonstrating specialised applications of NAA in the mining industry (phosphate, iron ore, rare earths), the environment (plastic in the marine environment) and in the certification of reference materials. A number of potentially long-term commercial customers have been identified.

Bangladesh
NAA is in high demand by universities and different research groups of BAEC, even to the extent that all requests from the universities cannot be accommodated due to the limitation of the existing NAA Laboratory facilities. Remarkable linkages have already been established with universities for conducting education and training programs. Several initiatives have already been taken to increase end-users other than the universities. Education and training using the research reactor for the development of human resources for NPP is identified as one of the priority needs.

Indonesia
In order to disseminate the application of NAA techniques to potential end-users, several activities have been carried out, including : organized NAA seminar, NAA workshop, inviting potential end-users to a coordination meeting of the NAA-BATAN working group, accepting students to conduct joint research in the NAA laboratory, NAA brochure and analysis services. Future plans of the NAA project include the application of INAA to food samples for micronutrient determination and contaminant monitoring, and application of INAA for characterization of air pollutants in industrial regions.

Japan
As most end-users are academic or in similar situation in Japan, the system established for these users was explained. The linkage between those end-users and the facilities where a research reactor is operated is strengthened by the support of MEXT through several major universities such as Univ. of Tokyo, Kyoto Univ. and Tohoku Univ. End-users in the different category such as those working in companies may use NAA directly or indirectly. As for the activity for the next phase, air pollution is proposed as a project theme. For this activity, SPM samples collected by participating countries will be analyzed by NAA in individual countries. Some countries may use XRF.

Kazakhstan
The main potential long-term end-users of INAA in RK were determined to be the mineral resources exploration sector and the environmental protection sector, and the strategy to establish linkages with them was presented. The Institute of Nuclear Physics RK concluded contracts with State Institution 'KazGidroMet' and the Laboratory of Neutron Physics of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (Dubna, Russian Federation) for environmental monitoring, and signed a 'Memorandum on Mutual Cooperation' with a private institution 'Nazarbayev University Research and Innovation System' for geological exploration.

Korea
The NAA Laboratory at HANARO in Korea has been making efforts to enhance the use of the NAA technique through collaboration studies with university professors and researchers as well as offering an analytical service to internal and external users. Recently we concluded with KRISS and MOA with KOSCOM which will contribute to strengthening NAA utilization.

Malaysia
Over the years NAA has been utilized in Nuclear Malaysia and universities for research, especially in the field of environment. Apart from that, NAA has been used in commercial service to industrial communities especially for companies dealing with the radioactive materials (such as uranium and thorium) both in mineral trading and extraction. This activity is part of the requirements regulated by the regulatory body, the Atomic Energy Licensing Board of Malaysia. Common samples being submitted for analysis by NAA are contaminated waste products and environmental samples from suspected areas.

Mongolia
Linkages have been established with a nuclear research center, mining companies, environmental monitoring organizations, Inspection Agency and Central Geological Laboratory. Our future plans are; using moss and lichen biomonitoring techniques to study air pollution, the determination of heavy metals and some toxic elements in environmental samples from mining and industrial areas, and studying rare earth elemental analysis in geological and ore samples from Mongolia.

The Philippines
Linkages have been established with the following entities: PhilRice, local government of Aklan and Boracay Island, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Nuclear Research Institute, Dalat, Vietnam via FNCA, Department of Trade and Industry and the PNRI Chemistry Research Section. Future plans will be on food traceability and safety, natural attenuation studies and on air particulate matter.

Thailand
We have collaborated in food monitoring with the Institute of Nutrition. The results obtained are useful for updating the table of food nutrient in Thailand. Other NAA end-users are universities, mining and recycling companies. However, we continue to promote the advantages of the NAA technique and our achievements to the public to gain more end-users. Moreover, we have continued our effort to create linkages with the Department of Fisheries and the Pollution Control Department.

Vietnam
In the environmental protection sector, the Dalat NRI has applied to become an official agency for environmental monitoring services using nuclear and non-nuclear analytical techniques (including NAA). In fact, the NAA laboratory has maintained linkages with end-users in the sectors of mineral resources exploration and archaeological studies among others. For the future plans, we have submitted a new national project on 'Development of some new techniques and enhancement of automation capability of NAA'. Moreover, we would also like to establish linkages with potential end-users for the determination of REEs.

Session 3: Plan for next phase

Conclusions
It was agreed to recommend that 'Air Pollution - SPM' and 'Mineral Resources - Rare Earth Elements' be adopted as the two sub-projects for the next phase. Professor Mitsuru Ebihara and Dr John Bennett agreed to lead the respective sub-projects. The sub-project leaders will seek the assistance of other members where appropriate.

Work Plan and Goals for the next phase

Air pollution - SPM
Year1
  1. Define sampling and measurement protocols
  2. Collect data
  3. Share initial data at annual workshop
Year2
  1. Collect data
  2. Share data at annual workshop
  3. Compare NAA results with measurements made by other methods.
Year3
  1. Interpret SPM data to determine the value of NAA for assessing air pollution.
  2. Produce a tabulation of complete NAA data set, including data from first and second phases of the NAA Project
   and the current phase data, and comparison with data from other methods. Upload to a website.
  3. Upload report to FNCA website.
  4. Submit publication.
Goals:
  1. Demonstration of the ability of FNCA NAA laboratories to measure SPM samples.
  2. Provide evidence that NAA can contribute additional useful information for pollution source identification.
  3. Demonstration of the contribution of NAA to regional air quality assessment.

Mineral resources - REE
Year 1
  1. Define a program of sample selection and analysis
  2. Conduct an initial laboratory inter-comparison using NAA and other suitable methods.
  3. Review data and recommend improvements to NAA measurement protocols at annual workshop.
Year 2
  1. Conduct second laboratory inter-comparison round.
  2. Review data at annual workshop.
Year 3
  1. Write a document suitable for distribution to mining companies, consultants and government agencies on the performance
   and strengths of NAA for REE analysis.
  2. Upload report to FNCA website.
  3. Submit publication.
Goals:
  1. Improvement in the ability of FNCA NAA laboratories to measure REE samples
  2. Mining industry has confidence in the results from NAA laboratories.
  3. Demonstration of the contribution of NAA to national economic development.

The following table shows the intention of countries to participate in the two recommended sub-projects.

 Country  Air pollution - SPM   Mineral resources - REE
 Australia
x
x
 Bangladesh
x
 China
x
 Indonesia
x
 Japan
x
x
 Kazakhstan
x
 Korea
x
 Malaysia
x
 Mongolia
x
 The Philippines
x
(x)
 Thailand
(x)
 Vietnam
x
x

 x - intention to participate
(x) - participation subject to national ratification


Program of
FNCA FY2014 Workshop on Neutron Activation Analysis Project

November 4-6, 2014
Quezon City, Philippines


Host Organization: Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI)
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT)
Executing Institution: Nuclear Safety Research Association (NSRA)
Date: 4- 6 November 2014
Venue: Imperial Palace Suites, Quezon City, Philippines

Workshop(at Imperial Palace Suites)

Day 1 (Tue, 4 November 2014)
09:30-10:00 Opening Session
Welcome address: Dr. Christina A. Petrache, Deputy Director, PNRI, Philippines
Opening address: Prof. Tomoaki Wada, FNCA Advisor of Japan, Japan
Overview of the FNCA Project of NAAand Major Issues of the Workshop
         : Prof. Mitsuru Ebihara, TMU, Japan
Photo
10:00-12:00 Session 1: Activities of three subprojects
1. Country report & Discussion
Chair: (Japan)
 Australia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Korea
12:00-13:00 Lunch
13:00-15:00 Session 1: Activities of three subprojects (cont.)
2. Country report & Discussion
Chair: (Australia)
 Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, The Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam
15:00-15:30 Coffee Break
15:30-17:00 Session 2: Establishment of linkages with appropriate end-users of NAA
1. Country report - results and future plan
Chair: (Korea)
 Australia, Bangladesh

Day 2 (Wed, 5 November 2014)
09:00-10:30 Session 2: Establishment of linkages with appropriate end-users of NAA
2. Country report - results and future plan
Chair: (Philippines)
 Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan
10:30-11:00 Coffee Break
11:00-12:30 3. Country report - results and future plan
Chair: (Indonesia)
 Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia
12:30-13:30 Lunch
13:30-15:00 4. Country report - results and future plan
Chair: (Malaysia)
 Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam
15:00-15:30 Coffee Break
15:30-17:00 5. Discussion
Chair: (Japan)

Day 3 (Thu, 6 November 2014)
09:00-10:30 Session 3: Plan for next phase
Chair: (Japan)
1. Identification of common interests among member countries and results of the preliminary survey
2. Setting appropriate goal of the next phase
10:30-11:00 Coffee Break
11:00-11:50 Session 4: Drafting of Minutes
Chair: (Japan)
11:50-12:00 Closing Session
Closing Remarks
 Prof. Tomoaki WADA, FNCA Advisor of Japan, Japan
 Dr. Christina A. Petrache, Deputy Director, PNRI, Philippines
12:00-12:45 Lunch

Open Seminar (at PNRI auditorium)

Day 4 (Wed, 5 March 2014)
13:30-13:40 Opening Ceremony
13:40-14:15 Perspectives of nuclear applications in the Philippines
: Dr. Alumanda M. DELA ROSA, PNRI, Philippines
14:15-14:40 Overview of NAA technique and its application
: Prof. Mitsuru Ebihara, TMU, Japan
14:40-15:05 Success stories of specific NAA applications in Australia
: Dr. John Bennett, ANSTO, Australia
15:05-15:30 Application of NAA to analyze As in fish for food safety in Bangladesh
: Dr. Syed Mohammod HOSSAIN, BAEC, Bangladesh
15:30-15:55 NAA technique in marine sediments and biota for environmental contamination studies
: case in Boracay Island
: Mr. Raymond J. Sucgang, PNRI, Philippines
15:55-16:00 Closing Remarks: Prof. Tomoaki WADA, FNCA Advisor of Japan, Japan



List of Participants
FNCA FY2014 Workshop on Neutron Activation Analysis Project

November 4-6, 2014
Quezon City, Philippines


Australia
Dr. John Bennett
Head, Centre for Nuclear Applications,
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)

Bangladesh
Dr. Syed Mohammod HOSSAIN
Chief Scientific Officer,
Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology (INST),
Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE),
Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC)

Indonesia
Ms. Theresia Rina Mulyaningsih
Researcher Staff,
Center for Science and Technology of Advanced Material,
National Nuclear Energy Agency (BATAN)

Japan
Prof. Tomoaki WADA
FNCA Advisor of Japan

Prof. Mitsuru EBIHARA
Professor, Dept. of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering,
Tokyo Metropolitan University

Prof. Motoyuki MATSUO
Professor, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences,
The University of Tokyo

Ms. Chiaki INOKOSHI
International Affairs and Research Department
Nuclear Safety Research Association (NSRA)

Kazakhstan
Dr. Igor Silachyov
Leading researcher, Institute of Nuclear Physics,
National Nuclear Centre of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Korea
Mr. Jong-Hwa Moon
Principal researcher,
Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI)

Malaysia
Dr. Mohd Suhaimi bin Hamzah
Senior Research Officer,
Malaysian Nuclear Agency

Mongolia
Ms. BALJINNYAM Nyamsuren
Head of the Laboratory of Radioactive Material,
Central Geological Laboratory of Mongolia

The Philippines
Dr. Preciosa Corazon B. Pabroa
Supervising Science Research Specialist,
Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI)
Mr. Raymond J. Sucgang
Senior Science Research Specialist,
Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI)

Thailand
Dr. Sarinrat WONGLEE
Nuclear Scientist, Research and Development Division,
Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT)

Vietnam
Dr. Ho Manh Dung
Principal Researcher, Nuclear Research Institute (NRI),
Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (VINATOM)


Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia