Radioecology Laboratory

The Radioecology Laboratory of Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) measures the radioactive contamination mainly in foods and environmental media, conducts field investigations as well as laboratory experiments and develops radiochemical methods especially for the quick determination of alpha and beta emitters in food and environmental media.

Scientific investigations and measurements are the foundation for understanding the fundamental processes responsible for the transport and the accumulation of radioactive substances in the environment and for describing them by radioecological models. They also help in making recommendations for the protection of the population when large amounts of radioactive substances are released into the environment.

The aims of field investigations, laboratory experiments and method development are to

• determine the radioactive contamination of environmental media and food samples,
• understand the fundamental processes responsible for the transport and the accumulation of radioactive substances in the environment and to describe them by radioecological models,
• develop or optimize radiochemical methods for the determination of alpha and beta emitters in foods and environmental media,
• develop quick methods to be applied in emergency preparedness or in cases of defence against nuclear hazards,
• codify methods in analytical specifications and procedure manuals.

Measurements: foundation for recommendations for the protection of the population

When large amounts of radioactive substances are released into the environment, for example after a nuclear power plant accident, the corresponding federal state authorities of the federal states (Länder) are mainly responsible for radioactivity measurements.

In addition, the radioactive contamination of environmental and food samples is also measured in the Radioecology Laboratory of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS). The aim is to assess the radiological situation as quickly as possible.

Based on the data reported by the Länder and their own measurement results, BfS experts can make timely recommendations on effective measures for the protection of the population to political decision-makers.

The Radioecology Laboratory is also the Federal Coordinating Office for medicinal products, their raw materials and commodities. Within the scope of its tasks, for example teas, herbs and spices are randomly tested.

The analytical balance is used to check the calibration of a pipette.

Monitoring of the radioactive contamination after the Chornobyl reactor accident

Still more than three and a half decades after the Chornobyl reactor accident, the Radioecology Laboratory monitors the development of the radioactive contamination by measuring environmental and food samples.

The focus is especially on foods from the forest, such as mushrooms and wild berries, which, even today, can still have increased contents of the radionuclide caesium-137.

Goals of the fast methods

Development of radiochemical methods

Another focus of the Radioecology Laboratory is the development and optimization of radiochemical methods for the determination of alpha and beta emitters in food and environmental media. Here, fast methods applied within the context of emergency preparedness or in cases of defence against nuclear hazards are of particular interest.

In addition, the laboratory supports university students in preparing their thesis (Bachelor, Master, PhD).

Equipment

Instrumentation of the radioecology laboratory: Equipment for the measurement of alpha, beta and gamma radiation

Among others, the following equipment is available for the preparation and radiochemical processing of the samples:

• mills and grinders,
• drying cabinets,
• incinerators,
• microwave digesters,
• refrigerated centrifuges as well as
• chemical fume hoods.

The instrumental equipment of the laboratory also includes high-purity germanium detectors for the measurement of gamma emitters as well as several measuring systems for the determination of alpha and beta emitters.

Quality assurance and quality management

Quality management and quality assurance have high priority in all laboratories of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection.

The Radioecology Laboratory participates regularly in comparative measurements (interlaboratory comparisons and proficiency tests). Moreover, the laboratory is working towards accreditation according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 (DAkkS (German accreditation body)) to prove its high-level technical and professional expertise.

The laboratory organises itself proficiency tests according to the § 161 of the Radiation Protection Act.

International networking

The Radioecology Laboratory is a member of the international laboratory network ALMERA (Analytical Laboratories for the Measurement of Environmental Radioactivity) of the IAEA and participates regularly in the ALMERA proficiency tests.