Fellowship at Julich Research Center

Julich Research Center, Germany as part of IAEA technical cooperation invites specialists of the National Nuclear Center and its branches for trainings and fellowships in different areas. The current year is not an exception. Between October 14 and November 16, 2018 an engineer of the ultimate analysis laboratory, Analytical Research Department, branch “Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology”, RSE NNC RK, Nurlan Mukhamediyarov completed a fellowship on the subject “Determination of the content of artificial radionuclides in solid environmental samples (soil, bottom sediments and plants) by inductively coupled mass-spectrometry after radiochemical decomposition”. The training course consisted of in vitro research, soil sample preparation for analysis, the analysis to determine the content of artificial radionuclides in sample using an inductively coupled mass-spectrometry technique (ISP-MS), as well as processing findings. Efficiency of extraction and chromatography resin types like DGAb, TRU, DOWEX for purifying samples of various impurities and of uranium in particular, has been assessed. The Institute’s laboratory applied a counting and spiking technique to determine isotopes of artificial radionuclides in solid samples. An inductively coupled mass-spectrometry technique with Elan 9000 device made by Perkin Elmer (USA) was used to analyze solutions obtained from solid samples by autoclave and open decompositions. Fellowship was fruitful: highly qualified specialists who worked in the laboratory, where the core study was arranged, and who were familiar with new techniques on how to prepare and analyze solid samples, shared experiences they gained and spoke about the latest models of up-to-date technology that Julich Research Center is equipped with for the work. Knowledge acquired and experience gained will be employed in developing and improving a procedure for environmental solid sample preparation using various resin types to determine isotopes there by inductively coupled mass-spectrometry in Institute’s laboratories.