BACKGROUND
Over the last years considerable progress has been observed in the use of nuclear instruments in environmental studies. Developments in nuclear instrumentation and in analytical methodologies for the characterization of environmental sampling media resulted in the diversification of the range of applications, including:
• Radioecology studies;
• Monitoring the presence, the concentration levels and speciation of inorganic pollutants;
• Studying the distribution of toxic elements in biological species to reveal mechanisms of intake and/or release;
• Development of portable instruments for in-situ analysis and cost-effective environmental monitoring programmes;
• Integration and complementary use of different nuclear techniques for a more comprehensive characterization of materials.
A Technical Meeting is planned to highlight, review and discuss issues related to the current status and trends in nuclear instruments for environmental studies in Developing Member States. It is considered beneficial to Member States to assess the current infrastructure needs to complement the laboratories with instrumentation required for environmental sampling, sampling design, environmental monitoring, interpretation and modelling. Proposed subjects of discussion include:
• Tools and instruments required for sampling of air particulate matter, water, soil, sediments, bio-monitors and other environmental compartments;
• Sampling designs and optimization of sampling campaigns;
• Requirements related to the installation and operation of environmental monitoring stations;
• In-situ and laboratory analysis of environmental samples by Nuclear Analytic Techniques (instrumentation and analytical procedures);
• Devices and software required for the collection of supplementary data (geographic location, meteorological and geophysics information) and its further integration in interpretation and modelling studies;
• The role of the IAEA in support of the improvement of infrastructure in Developing Member States for a sustainable use of nuclear instrumentation in environmental studies.
OBJECTIVES
To review the current status, shortcomings and infrastructure needs in Developing Member States to achieve a more efficient use of nuclear instruments in environmental studies, and to produce a relevant guidelines / report.
PARTICIPATION
A person will be eligible to participate only if nominated by the Government of an IAEA Member State (Ministry of Foreign Affairs or National Atomic Energy Authority) or by an Organisation invited to participate. Nomination for participation should be received by the IAEA not later than 28 February 2011. The participant should be a developer and/or user of nuclear instrumentation. A contribution from the participant in the form of a short abstract covering his/her work relevant to the objectives of the meeting will be necessary for consideration for participation.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
As a general rule, the IAEA does not pay the costs for attendance to the meeting. However, limited funds may be made available to assist the attendance of selected participants and approved in accordance with the current Agency rules and regulations. Generally, not more than one financial grant will be awarded to any one Member State. If Governments wish to apply for financial support on behalf of their nominees, they should address specific requests to the IAEA Scientific Secretary.
MEETING FORMAT
To facilitate proceedings, participants are invited to contribute an oral presentation on subject relevant to the scope and objectives of this meeting. Participants should submit an abstract of their proposed presentation along with their nomination. The official language of the meeting is English. No interpretation will be provided. It is expected that the meeting will start at 9:00 on Monday 09 May and conclude by 16:00 on Friday 13 May.
The outputs of discussions will be recorded for possible dissemination to Member States as an IAEA technical publication. Contributors of material to be included in the Agency proceedings are required to assign all copyrights or rights to publish to the Agency. Please complete and sign the Form B and send it to the IAEA Scientific Secretary by post or email. The authors should ensure that material they make available for possible publication by the IAEA does not include copyrighted material or other impediments for reproduction.
LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS
It is the responsibility of all participants to make their own travel arrangements to/from Austria. Detailed information on accommodation, local transport to/from the meeting venue, and other organisational details, will be sent to all designated participants well in advance of the meeting.
VISA
Designated participants who require a visa to enter Austria should submit the necessary application to the nearest diplomatic or consular representative of Austria well in advance of entry. An official letter of invitation will be issued to all designated participants by the IAEA Scientific Secretary.
DEADLINES
• 28 February 2011: Submittal of requests to the IAEA for participation and financial support close
• 30 March 2011: Participants informed of their acceptance of participation and request for financial support.
IAEA SCIENTIFIC SECRETARY
Mr Roman Padilla-Alvarez
Nuclear Spectrometry and Applications Laboratory.
Physics Section, Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences.
Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications.
International Atomic Energy Agency
Wagramer Strasse 5, P. O. Box 100
A-1400 Vienna, Austria
Tel: +431 2600 28244
Fax: +431 2600 28222
E-mail: R.Padilla-Alvarez@iaea.org