Large scale distribution of dioxins, PCBs, heavy metals, PAH-metabolites and radionuclides in cod (Gadus morhua) from the North Atlantic and its adjacent seas.

Regarding cod as sea food for human consumption and as bio indicator of the marine eco system, this study is the first approach to combine the analysis of organic and inorganic contaminants and radionuclides in cod muscle as well as PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs in its livers from the same fishing areas. Concentrations of 1-hydroxypyrene, PCDD/Fs, PCBs, cesium-137 (Cs-137), cadmium and lead were determined in individual or pooled samples over a wide geographic area, including Greenland Seas, Barents Sea, North and Baltic Sea. Highest concentrations were found in samples from the Baltic Sea, lowest in the pristine areas of the Barents Sea and Greenland.

Generalized evaluation of environmental radioactivity measurements with UncertRadio Part II: Methods with linear unfolding.

For the software UncertRadio (UR), designed for a generalized evaluation of environmental radioactivity measurements, the evaluation procedure is given if least squares-fitting is involved. UR is then applied to the simultaneous detection of Strontium-89 and Strontium-90. This method is easily extendable over recent approaches based on the evaluation of two measurements, i.

Generalized evaluation of environmental radioactivity measurements with UncertRadio. Part I: Methods without linear unfolding.

It is shown how a generalized evaluation of a large variety of environmental radioactivity measurements, without and with using linear unfolding, can be performed with a single program, UncertRadio (UR). Using a function parser allows deriving numerical partial derivatives for ISO GUM compatible uncertainty propagation. The evaluation within UR is extended to include ISO 11929 decision thresholds and detection limits.

Certified reference materials for radionuclides in Bikini Atoll sediment (IAEA-410) and Pacific Ocean sediment (IAEA-412).

The preparation and characterization of certified reference materials (CRMs) for radionuclide content in sediments collected offshore of Bikini Atoll (IAEA-410) and in the open northwest Pacific Ocean (IAEA-412) are described and the results of the certification process are presented. The certified radionuclides include: (40)K, (210)Pb ((210)Po), (226)Ra, (228)Ra, (228)Th, (232)Th, (234)U, (238)U, (239)Pu, (239+240)Pu and (241)Am for IAEA-410 and (40)K, (137)Cs, (210)Pb ((210)Po), (226)Ra, (228)Ra, (228)Th, (232)Th, (235)U, (238)U, (239)Pu, (240)Pu and (239+240)Pu for IAEA-412. The CRMs can be used for quality assurance and quality control purposes in the analysis of radionuclides in sediments, for development and validation of analytical methods and for staff training.

Certified Reference Material IAEA-446 for radionuclides in Baltic Sea seaweed.

A Certified Reference Material (CRM) for radionuclides in seaweed (Fucus vesiculosus) from the Baltic Sea (IAEA-446) is described and the results of the certification process are presented. The (40)K, (137)Cs, (234)U and (239+240)Pu radionuclides were certified for this material, and information values for 12 other radionuclides ((90)Sr, (99)Tc, (210)Pb ((210)Po), (226)Ra, (228)Ra, (228)Th, (230)Th, (232)Th, (235)U, (238)U, (239)Pu and (240)Pu) are presented. The CRM can be used for Quality Assurance/Quality Control of analysis of radionuclides in seaweed and other biota samples, as well as for development and validation of analytical methods, and for training purposes.

A recursive deterministic algorithm for treatment of true coincidence summing effects in gamma-ray spectrometry.

Different algorithms exist that can be applied to the calculation of the effects of true coincidence summing in gamma-ray spectrometry. Some of these, however, are not capable of reproducing the count rates in all the pure sum peaks that a spectrum may contain. A recursive, easy-to-implement deterministic algorithm has been developed that overcomes this shortcoming.

Calculation of true coincidence summing corrections for extended sources with EFFTRAN.

A deterministic code was developed for the calculation of true coincidence summing correction factors and has been incorporated into the EFFTRAN tool. The approach is aimed at the analysis of extended samples measured on p-type HPGe detectors in environmental gamma-ray spectrometry and was verified against the results of a state-of-the-art full Monte Carlo code. The two sets of results matched on average within 1%.

Intrinsic error of the point-source and the LS-curve approximations in treatment of true coincidence summing.

Apart from an experimental determination of the relevant correction factors or a full Monte Carlo simulation, the most popular computational approach to the problem of true coincidence summing effects is the point-source approximation. An improvement of this method is based on the so-called linear-to-square or "Third curve" of gamma-ray spectrometry. Both of these computational methods carry with them an intrinsic error, the magnitude of which we investigate for the case of environmental measurements with p-type HPGe detectors.

Testing the equivalence of several algorithms for calculation of coincidence summing corrections.

Five different numerical algorithms used for calculating coincidence summing corrections (CSCs) in HPGe gamma-spectrometry in case of complex radionuclide decay schemes were tested for their equivalence. Simulated point-source detection geometries and efficiency curves have been used to calculate and compare counting rates as well as CSCs of (133)Ba, (134)Cs and (152)Eu of 1MBq sources. Contributions of one X-ray per radionuclide were included.

Monte Carlo determination of the characteristic limits in measurement of ionising radiation--fundamentals and numerics.

It is shown how the decision threshold, the detection limit and the limits of a coverage interval - summarily called the characteristic limits - and, in addition, the best estimate and the associated standard uncertainty of a non-negative radiation measurand are to be calculated by using the Monte Carlo (MC) method in ionising-radiation measurements. The limits are mathematically defined by means of quantiles of the Bayesian distributions of the possible measurand values. The MC-induced uncertainties of the limits and typical problems connected with MC application are also treated.

A new Certified Reference Material for radionuclides in Irish sea sediment (IAEA-385).

A new Certified Reference Material (CRM) for radionuclides in sediment (IAEA-385) is described and the results of the certification process are presented. Eleven radionuclides ((40)K, (137)Cs, (226)Ra, (228)Ra, (230)Th, (232)Th, (234)U, (238)U, (238)Pu, (239+240)Pu and (241)Am) have been certified and information mass activities with 95% confidence intervals are given for seven other radionuclides ((90)Sr, (210)Pb((210)Po), (235)U, (239)Pu, (240)Pu and (241)Pu). Results for less frequently reported radionuclides ((60)Co, (99)Tc, (134)Cs, (155)Eu, (224)Ra and (239)Np) and information on some activity and mass ratios are also reported.

An inter-laboratory comparison of low-level measurements in ground-level aerosol monitoring.

After the nuclear reactor accident of Chernobyl, the "Integrated Measurement and Information System (IMIS) for Monitoring the Environmental Radioactivity and Detecting Emissions from Nuclear Plants was implemented in Germany. IMIS is a nationwide comprehensive measuring system which permanently monitors the radioactivity in all important environment media in the whole federal territory. At approximately 40 sites, the activity concentration of radioactive substances is measured in air and precipitations.

Certified reference material for radionuclides in fish flesh sample IAEA-414 (mixed fish from the Irish Sea and North Sea).

A certified reference material (CRM) for radionuclides in fish sample IAEA-414 (mixed fish from the Irish Sea and North Seas) is described and the results of the certification process are presented. Nine radionuclides (40K, 137Cs, 232Th, 234U, 235U, 238U, 238Pu, 239+240Pu and 241Am) were certified for this material. Information on massic activities with 95% confidence intervals is given for six other radionuclides (90Sr, 210Pb(210Po), 226Ra, 239Pu, 240Pu 241Pu).

Marine radioactivity assessment of Mururoa and Fangataufa atolls.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) carried out an international project. 'The Study of the Radiological Situation at the Atolls of Mururoa and Fangataufa' with the aim of assessing the present and future radiological situation at the atolls and making recommendations for either monitoring or remedial actions if they are deemed necessary. The paper concentrates on marine radioactivity aspects and gives an estimation of present radionuclide concentrations in water, sediment and biota of the Mururoa and Fangataufa lagoons and the surrounding ocean.