EUROPEAN RADIATION RESEARCH 2012

ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS OF RADIOLOGICAL AGENT IDENTIFICATION LABORATORY AT BRAZILIAN ARMY TECHNOLOGICAL CENTER

17 Oct 2012, 16:08

1m

Poster Hall (Vietri sul Mare)

poster preferred Radioecology Poster Session 2

Speaker

Mr Jorge Alberto Valle da Silva (Brazilian Army Technological Center - CTEx)

Description

Radiological analysis at Brazilian Army Technological Center (CTEx) has been performed since 1980s, in order to be applied environmental monitoring. Nowadays, analytical techniques such as gamma spectroscopy and total alpha/beta counting are performed by Chemical Biological and Nuclear Defense Division (DDQBN). Its major role is to support CTEx in development of searching about homeland security against Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) threats. As the Radiological Agents Identification Laboratory (LIAR) is being set up at DDQBN, advanced detection devices, including two Hiperpure Germanium (HPGe) spectroscopy systems, became available. The LIAR follows safety requirements enforced by Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN), being responsible for performing environmental radiological monitoring of the CTEx area. So far, no presence of radiological contamination has been found. Moreover, if any is identified, decontamination procedures will be immediately deployed. In addition, since CTEx is located next to the Guaratiba Archeological and Biological Park, the need for keeping accurate records of the radiological history of the site is even greater. Thus, this work is aimed at describing the environmental radiological measurements performed by LIAR at the analysis about sediment of Guaratiba mangrove swamps by determining U238, Th232, K40 and Cs137 concentrations. The procedures for collection, preparation, packaging and analysis of samples are also described. Finally, the work considers some future perspectives of using LIAR for performing environmental radiological analysis services, setting up database as well as acquiring further specific training experience so as to engage in more extensive homeland security activities.