ALMERA network

CURRENT IAEA ACTIVITIES AND FUTURE PLANS FOR THE ALMERA NETWORK... 

With reference to the measurement of artificial and natural radionuclides in environmental samples, activities of the Agency s laboratories in Seibersdorf include the preparation, characterisation, and distribution of reference materials of terrestrial origin, organisation of interlaboratory comparison exercises and proficiency tests, co-ordination of the activities of the ALMERA network, provision of training and expert assistance to scientists from Member States (MS) laboratories, and provision of analytical and radioanalytical support for the benefit of the programmes and projects of the IAEA and its Member States. 

The IAEA helps the ALMERA network of laboratories to maintain their readiness by coordination activities, by development of standardized methods for sample collection and analysis, and by conducting interlaboratory comparison exercises and proficiency tests as a tool for external quality control. 

In 1996, the first interlaboratory comparison exercise of the ALMERA network was organised to compare the performance of the network laboratories for the determination of anthropogenic and primordial a-, /3- and 7-emitting radionuclides in a soil and sediment material. This first activation of the network was executed as a preliminary test to... 

The second ALMERA network coordination meeting took place in Trieste (Italy) on 15 November 2005 and was hosted by the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP). 

Current IAEA Activities and Future Plans for the Almera Network 209... 

The performance evaluation results of the interlaboratory comparison exercises performed in the frame of the ALMERA network are not anonymous for those laboratories nominating to participate as ALMERA members. 

If an ALMERA member wants to keep the evaluation result of his/her participation anonymous, he/she will have the option to only take part in the IAEA world-wide open proficiency test. In this case, his/her results will not be included in the ALMERA report. In addition, the statistical approach used to evaluate the analytical results of the ALMERA network proficiency test will be adapted in the future to take the reporting time into consideration. 

In order to improve communication between members, it was recommended that an ALMERA network website should be developed so that all members can search for diverse information regarding the activity of the ALMERA network. It should include the following data ... 

The approach being taken for development of specific procedures and methods is to first review the literature on a given topic, and then based on this review develop a method written in accordance with ISO guidelines (Fig.l). The activities mentioned above are meant to be of general use to a wide range of laboratories. In parallel, a set of procedures and methods needs to be developed for the ALMERA network of laboratories. The activity... 

A. Shakhashiro, Z. Radecki, A. Trinkle, U. Sansone, T. Benesch, Final report on the proficiency test of measurement of environmental radioactivity (ALMERA) network, 2005, IAEA/AL/152. 

Report on the second ALMERA network coordination meeting and the ALMERA soil... 

The IAEA s network of Analytical Laboratories for the Measurement of Environmental RAdioactivity (ALMERA) was formally established in 1995 with 53 laboratories from 26 different countries when the IAEA issued a request to its Member States to nominate laboratories for membership. The members of the network are gradually increasing in number. Currently the network comprises 106 laboratories from a total of 67 countries. The nomination of laboratories for membership in ALMERA has to be made by their governments and the IAEA has to be informed about the nominations through the Permanent Missions of the Member States to the Agency. There is no deadline for such a nomination. 

To facilitate interactions between the ALMERA laboratories, for the period 2007-2009 the network is subdivided into the following three regional groups ... 

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