Phytoforensic-Dendrochemistry using NAA Techniques
Department
Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science
Major
Nuclear Engineering
Research Advisor
Burken, Joel G. (Joel Gerard)
Usman, Shoaib
Advisor's Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Second Advisor's Department
Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science
Funding Source
Mining and Nuclear Engineering
Abstract
Plants and trees can tell us the history of a geographic area through their intake from their environment. There have been significant developments in techniques to identify the history of contaminants in plant materials to map out potential pollutant sites. So far, the traditional methods, though successful, are limited in the minimum detection level, MDL, particularly for inorganic or elemental analysis. Neutron Activation Analysis technique has the potential to reduce the MDLs of certain environmental contaminants (inorganic material, metals, etc.) to new levels to assess the extent of present contamination and document pollution history with greater analytic accuracy. NAA is a non-destructive technique where the sample is bombarded with neutrons, transmuting the nucleus of a target atom. The transmuted atom subsequently produces signature emission of gamma radiation. Based upon the spectrum analysis, the elemental composition can be obtained and with proper calibration, quantitative analysis of the elemental composition of the specimen can be calculated. Utilizing Missouri S&T nuclear reactor, we are developing and refining NAA based phytoforensic techniques for several environmentally significant elements like, As, V, Cr, Ni, Zn, and Mo.
Biography
Zackary is a senior in Nuclear Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology and expects to receive his degree in May 2012. He has already been accepted into the master’s program for Nuclear Engineering at MS&T and plans on beginning in the summer of 2012.
Research Category
Research Proposals
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
10 Apr 2012, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Phytoforensic-Dendrochemistry using NAA Techniques
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Plants and trees can tell us the history of a geographic area through their intake from their environment. There have been significant developments in techniques to identify the history of contaminants in plant materials to map out potential pollutant sites. So far, the traditional methods, though successful, are limited in the minimum detection level, MDL, particularly for inorganic or elemental analysis. Neutron Activation Analysis technique has the potential to reduce the MDLs of certain environmental contaminants (inorganic material, metals, etc.) to new levels to assess the extent of present contamination and document pollution history with greater analytic accuracy. NAA is a non-destructive technique where the sample is bombarded with neutrons, transmuting the nucleus of a target atom. The transmuted atom subsequently produces signature emission of gamma radiation. Based upon the spectrum analysis, the elemental composition can be obtained and with proper calibration, quantitative analysis of the elemental composition of the specimen can be calculated. Utilizing Missouri S&T nuclear reactor, we are developing and refining NAA based phytoforensic techniques for several environmentally significant elements like, As, V, Cr, Ni, Zn, and Mo.
