Project description
Fast and reliable determination of strontium-90
Nuclear power contributes to about one tenth of the world's electricity, and that number is likely to increase in the future. Strontium-90 (Sr-90), produced in nuclear reactors, is released into the environment during nuclear accidents such as those in Chernobyl and Fukushima; nuclear weapon tests; and found in nuclear waste. Because of its relatively long physical half-life (29 years), the Sr-90 is widely distributed in the environment and can be present in the human body via ingestion. Owing to its bio-chemical similarity to calcium, this radioactive isotope accumulates in bone, causing long-term radiation exposure in bone and surrounding tissue. Currently, the Sr-90 analysis takes up to one day, or even longer, resulting in significant loss of valuable time in case of a nuclear accident. The EU-funded STROMASS project is developing a high-tech method using low amount samples to yield Sr-90 contamination level results in less than two hours. The outcomes will have a significant impact on environmental protection and human health.
Objective
As the Fukushima nuclear accident proved, the analytical laboratories cannot provide a rapid response for 90Sr contamination using the classic radiometric measurement methods resulting in poor public information which significantly decreases the trust towards governmental institutes. However, the monitoring of 90Sr is important since it is a “bone-seeker” element and is easily accumulated in bone tissues causing long term radiation exposure among the population. As a pure beta particle emitter radionuclide, the determination of 90Sr is a complex and time-consuming task (min. 1 day) due to the necessity of sample preparation and chemical separation of Sr.
The scientific aim of this research project is to maximize the merit of mass spectrometry to fulfil the request of society for prompt and reliable information in case of a nuclear event. For this purpose, the latest state-of-the-art instruments, Agilent 8800 ICP-QQQ-MS and Cetac Teledyne Excite Excimer Laser ablation system will be used in an interdisciplinary approach to shorten the analysis time (<2 hours) and minimise the sample intake (<1 g). The new method will have a positive impact on environment protection because of the reduction of corrosive chemical usage. There will be further opportunities to determine radionuclides, such as U, Pu, I, and Cs isotopes giving benefit to the industrial application.
To diversify the applicant’s competence and mend his shortcomings, training will be provided in student supervision, leadership, research funding and networking. The host and his institute will benefit from experiences related to the Fukushima accident, 90Sr analysis with mass spectrometry and explore new cooperation opportunities with Japanese and Hungarian researchers. With the help of this action, the applicant will be successfully reintegrated into Europe and set up his own research network and laboratory that will motivate further collaboration in the future.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences analytical chemistry mass spectrometry
- natural sciences chemical sciences nuclear chemistry radiation chemistry
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.4. - SPREADING EXCELLENCE AND WIDENING PARTICIPATION
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-WF-2018-2020
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.