5 research outputs found
Testing the applicability of the k(o)-NAA method at the MINT's TRIGA MARK II reactor
The Analytical Chemistry Laboratory at MINT is using the NAA technique since 1980s and is the only laboratory in Malaysia
equipped with a research reactor, namely the TRIGA MARK II. Throughout the years the development of NAA technique has been
very encouraging and was made applicable to a wide range of samples. At present, the k0 method has become the preferred
standardization method of NAA (k0-NAA) due to its multi-elemental analysis capability without using standards. Additionally, the k0
method describes NAA in physically and mathematically understandable definitions and is very suitable for computer evaluation.
Eventually, the k0-NAA method has been adopted by MINT in 2003, in collaboration with the Nuclear Research Institute (NRI),
Vietnam. The reactor neutron parameters (a and f) for the pneumatic transfer system and for the rotary rack at various locations, as well
as the detector efficiencies were determined. After calibration of the reactor and the detectors, the implemented k0 method was validated
by analyzing some certified reference materials (including IAEA Soil 7, NIST 1633a, NIST 1632c, NIST 1646a and IAEA 140/TM). The
analysis results of the CRMs showed an average u score well below the threshold value of 2 with a precision of better than 710% for
most of the elemental concentrations obtained, validating herewith the introduction of the k0-NAA method at the MINT
Assessment of Elemental Pollution in Marine Sediment from Talang-Satang and Bako National Park of Sarawak, Malaysia (Special Issue> Malaysian Nuclear Agency)
The assessments ofelemental polluti oinn sediment collected from national park ofSarawak were done based on
their distribution pattern ,geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor ,The enrichment factor s(EF )were
determined by the elemental rationing method, whilst the geoaccumulati oinndex (Ig .by. )comparing of current
concentration to background concentration of metals, The elements were analyzed by using Instmmenta1
Neutron Activatio nAnalysis (INAA) .The results of enrichment facto rshow tha tTalang-Satang and Bako
National Park have significant contaminated by toxic elements such as As, Cr, Sb, Ti and U. Base on the
classification system proposed for sediment qualit ywith referring to Ig. ,the sediment quali tyof the
Talang-Satang and Bako National Park for Arsenic (As) contamination can be categorized as moderate to
extremely contaminated. Contamination of element such as Cr, Sb and Ti can be categorized as uncontaminated
to moderate contaminated, and U can be categorized as uncontaminated to moderate and strong contaminated,
The average concentration of As in sediment of Bako shown surpassed sediment qualit yguidelin eCprobable
effect concentration - PEC) value, whilst Cr concentration in sediment of Talang-Satang shown above midpoint
effect concentration (MEC) .This indicatin gt,he sediment ofBako and Talang-Satang could have a potentia lfor
producing chronic effect to the marine biot aor benthi ocrganism
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination in the sediments of East Coast Peninsular Malaysia
The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are pollutants of concern due to their persistent in the marine ecosystem, thus
its can cause long-term adverse effect to the marine life. In this study the concentrations of PAHs in east coast Peninsular
Malaysia sediments were determined. About ten stations along the east coast of the coastal area were selected to collect
sediment samples using grab sampler. The PAHs from the sediment samples were soxhlet extracted using mixture of hexane
and dichloromethane (DCM). Fractionation was done using the silica-alumina column. About 17 compounds of the PAHs
were determined using the Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GCMS model QP5050A). The Σ PAHs was found in
range between 0.26μg/g to 0.59μg/g dry weight. The data from the study signified that the main source of PAHs in the
sediment of the east coast peninsular Malaysia is originated from the pyrolytic source
Parameterisation of fission neutron spectra (TRIGA Reactor) for neutron activation without the used of standard
Neutron activation analysis (NAA) is a sensitive and reliable technique for both qualitative and quantitative analysis of wide range of elements in various types of samples. The method involves the irradiation of samples and the detection of gamma energies emitted from the isotope s for med from the process of neutron capture. Most NAA were done by comparison method, which is found to have high errors due to the differences in the matrix composition of sample as well a s comparator. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate an alternative technique of activation analysis based on absolute gammarray measurem ents and the direct calculation of elemental concentrations from reaction rates equation of neutron capture process
Determination of heavy metal pollution in depth profile of marine sediment samples from the Strait of Malacca
In this study, four core marine sediment samples from
the Strait of Malacca were collected and analyzed by using
instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). This work
was carried out to evaluate the level of heavy metal pollution
in the water-body. In addition, inductively coupled
plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) technique was used
for non-measurable elements by INAA. The following
heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb and Zn)
have been determined in the core sediment samples collected
from the Strait of Malacca. Moreover, the obtained
results were compared to the national studies and the international
guidelines for marine sediments