ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOCHEMISTRY LAB

The Environmental Radiochemistry Lab is an Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) certified new state-of-the art Type-I laboratory, dedicated to a wide range of very low-level environmental radioactivity research and surveys. Radioactivity measurement detectors (alpha, beta, gamma) are housed in dedicated instrument rooms within the laboratory.

The prime use of this facility is to quantify the radiation from natural occurring radionuclides present in the environment and also to perform geochronological and biogeochemical studies using radionuclides as proxies in environmental matrices such as sediment, water and biota.

Analytical Capabilities:

• Gross Alpha and Gross Beta
• Radionuclides: ²¹⁰Pb, ²²⁶Ra, ²¹⁰Bi, ²²²Rn, ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ²¹⁰Po, ¹³⁷Cs, ⁴⁰K, ¹⁴C,³H
• Primary Productivity Rate
• Sediment Accumulation Rate

THEMATIC AREAS

• Environmental Radioactivity
• Geochronology

CONTACT INFORMATION

Technical Manager and Radiation Safety Officer (RSO)

Dr. Kakolee Banerjee
Email: kakolee@ncscm.res.in

Dr. Paneer Selvam A
Email: paneerselvam@ncscm.res.in

INSTRUMENTS

Alpha Counting System

Make : Para Electronics

Model: PNC-Alpha

Nuclear counting device for measuring gross alpha activity of environmental samples. Use for geochronological and coastal radioactivity studies.

Alpha Spectrometer System

Make: Canberra
Model: 7200-08

The alpha  spectrometry is a powerful technique for the determination of low-level activities of primordial Uranium, primordial Thorium, Ra-226, Po-210 in environmental samples

Beta Counting System

Make: DOZA
Model: UMF-2000

Nuclear counting device for measuring gross beta activity in environmental samples. Use for geochronological and coastal radioactivity studies

HPGe Gamma Spectrometer (100%)

Make: Ortec
Model: GEM-C100-LB-C-HJ

This instrument is used to evaluate gamma emitting radionuclides in environmental samples. This is suitable for identification and quantitative estimation of activity of several radionuclides in a single analysis. Detector is planar. Non-destructive method for monitoring radionuclides in environmental samples.

Liquid Scintillation Counter

Make: HIDEX
Model: 300XL

This instrument is used to evaluate radionuclides that emit low energy beta and alpha radiations. Use for radiation analysis in tissue samples and primary productivity studies (C-14 ).

Radon Detector System and Radon Bubblers

Make: Polltech
Model: PSI RCDI

High performance instrument for precise Radon measurement in environmental samples.

HPGe Gamma Spcetrometer (30%)

Make: Ortec
Model: GWL-190-15-LB-AWT-HJ

This instrument is used to evaluate radionuclides that emit low energy gamma radiation. Identify and quantify the activity of several radionuclides in a single analysis. Mainly used for Pb-210 dating in sediment samples. Detector is well type. Non-destructive method for monitoring radionuclides in environmental samples.

Distillation Unit

Make: Glassco
Model: GLWS40DG

To utilize tap water to get double distillation water for laboratory purposes.

DC power supply

Make: Aplab
Model: LD3210

Used for electroplating of radionuclides (such as Uranium) from environmental samples.

Handheld Radionuclide Identification System

Make : FLIR

Model: Identifinder R400

Use to detect and measure in-situ gamma radiation and identify gamma-ray emitting radionuclides.