Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory (www.erl.stir.ac.uk)

The Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory (ERL) is IS17025:2005 accredited for the environmental sampling, sample preparation, laboratory analysis of radioactivity through gamma ray spectrometry and environmental dosimetry (air kerma).  The laboratory undertakes research at a national and international level and provides analytical services for a wide range of organisations encompassing the academic, public and private sectors.  The ERL is also actively involved in knowledge transfer and training.  The laboratories quality policy can be accessed through www.erl.stir.ac.uk

Examples of environmental radioactivity research and monitoring

The laboratory specialises in characterising the spatial and temporal dynamics and impacts of radioactivity in the environment. Examples include:

• Standby environmental radioactivity monitoring
• Radioactivity in Sewage (SEPA funded with ENVIROS)
• UK Soil and Herbage Pollution Survey, in-situ measurement of environmental radioactivity and dosimetry across the whole of the UK (funded by EA, SEPA,
• Airborne remote sensing work, supported by NERC, has enabled 2m resolution maps of intertidal radionuclide concentrations and the provision of sediment and radionuclide fluxes over ebb and flood tides.
• Bioavailability of 99Tc in soil plant-systems where contaminated seaweed is used as a soil conditioner.
• Accurate in-situ gamma spectrometry determination of salt 137Cs inventories and activity depth distribution.
• Detecting contamination induced tree stress within the Chernobyl exclusion zone as a bio-indicator of ecological stress.  
• Dynamics of 137Cs transfer from soils to upland grass and heather
• Effectiveness of potassium application to land as a countermeasure against 137Cs contamination
• EU project CESER on environmental and socio-economic impacts of countermeasures applied to contaminated agricultural land

Applied research: use of radionuclides as tracers for environmental processes

Tracing and quantifying environmental processes such as soil erosion, sediment accretion through 137Cs and 210Pb dating has formed a significant part of laboratory activities.  Examples include:

• Novel measurement of soil movement in cultivated fields through in-situ gamma ray spectrometry
• Assessing erosion risk to archaeological crop marks
• Measuring sediment accretion rates in salt marsh environments through in-situ gamma ray spectrometry
• Dating lakes and coastal sediment accumulation rates through 210Pb
• Dating peat profiles through 210Pb for landscape reconstruction.