Development and optimisation of extraction and detection methods for determination of radioactive substances (Sr-90, Th-isotopes, U-isotopes, Pu-isotopes, Am-241) in aquatic biota according the Precautionary Radiation Protection Act

The detection of alpha- and beta-emitting radionuclides in solid matrices like fish flesh is a challenging task. Therefore, their analysis requires complex extraction methods; we optimize present procedures.

Background and Objective

Radionuclides encompass every organism on the Earth. The main interest of the population is on the anthropogenic radionuclides such as cesium, strontium, plutonium or americium although naturally occurring radionuclides like uranium or its decay product thorium are relevant in case of radiation protection of humans and organisms. While cesium is directly detectable via determination of its signature of gamma radiation, this is a challenging task or impossible for the other radionuclides mentioned above. Most of the present methods for the determination of the latter mentioned radionuclides in the aquatic organisms require sample preparation and measurement times of approximately one month. Therefore we develop new and optimize present methods in order to determine alpha- and beta-emitting radionuclides in environmentally relevant concentrations or determination following releases to the environment on a fast and resource saving basis. Developed methods are validated by the Editorial working team of the Co-ordinating offices and are publicly available, afterwards.

Preliminary Results

Finalysed Measurement procedures for monitoring of radioactive substances in the environment are published on the webpage  of the the Federal Ministry for the Environment (in German)

Thünen-Contact

• Aust, Marc-Oliver Institute of Fisheries Ecology

Duration

Permanent task 1.2001 - 12.2018

More Information

Projekt type:
Project status: ongoing

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