The environmental applications of ANSTO’s world-leading science are at the forefront of the stories they have to tell for National Science Week this year.
"We have developed radioactive ‘tracers’ that give us insight into the dynamics of groundwater in sensitive coastal areas," said ANSTO Executive Director, Professor Helen Garnett.
"The aim of this work is to contribute to improved management of coastal, estuarine and wetland areas through better understanding the transport processes in these sensitive environments.
Another environmental aspect of ANSTO’s work is their use of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) to help provide nuclear safeguards.
"Working in conjunction with the International Atomic Energy Agency and using the AMS technology, we are measuring environmental samples to look for nuclear signatures," said Professor Garnett.
"The aim of the project is to identify whether nuclear waste is being illegally dumped, how radioactive material from accidents such as Chernobyl move through the natural environment, and whether a specific facility is producing material for nuclear weapons."
ANSTO will be able to carry out even more beneficial work in the environmental, medical and industrial areas once its replacement research reactor comes online in late 2005.
"The reactor will be a multi-purpose facility for radioisotope production, irradiation services and neutron beam research," said Professor Garnett. "The reactor’s commissioning will reinforce our role as a leading international scientific organisation and attract an increasing number of business and research opportunities."
ANSTO have created a special Science Week website aimed at school children that talks about its science in a manner that the whole family will enjoy:
http://www.ansto.gov.au/info/scienceweek/
Science Week runs from August 16 to 24.
See the following backgrounder for more information on ANSTO’s Science Week stories.
*ANSTO is the Australian Nuclear Science Technology Organisation, the country’s national nuclear research and development organisation and the centre of Australian nuclear expertise