Elemental analysis of soil around NMC Rajshahi using IBA technique

1.3.7 Elemental analysis of soil around NMC Rajshahi using IBA technique

The study has been carried out in order to introduce interior details of the LINAC physics and instrumentation. LINAC produce X-rays and high energy electrons for medicinal purposes in radiation therapy and also used for particle physics. The linear accelerator uses microwave technology to accelerate electrons through the wave guide and allows these electrons to collide with a heavy metal target. As a result of the collisions, high-energy x-rays are produced from the target. Radiation can be delivered to the tumor from any angle by rotating the gantry and moving the treatment couch.

1.3.9 Study of spatial resolution of a positron emission tomography (PET) system

The performance characteristics such as resolution, SF and NECR of the camera were reasonably consistent. For imaging studies, sinogram data were generated using a water filled Jaszczak SPECT phantom with 10 MBq 18-F and a uniform cylindrical phantom with 7.74 MBq 68-Ge. The image was reconstructed with the FBP technique using a Hann filter of cutoff frequency 0.3 of the Nyquist frequency. A region of interest (ROI) was drawn over the large cold region and at the centre. Mean pixel value and standard deviation were measured within the ROI. To reduce the noise in the image, different cutoff frequencies of the Nyquist frequency were applied to choose the appropriate frequency. The study indicates, as the cutoff frequency is reduced, the distinction between the cold region and the surroundings becomes blurred, with the result that the mean pixel value increases significantly. Results also show that coefficient of variation (CV) decreases with the decrease of cutoff frequency, as less noise is transmitted to the reconstructed image.

The Research and Development area of the Chemistry Division, Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka is diversified into the following specialized branches of modern chemistry:

a) Advanced Analytical Chemistry

b) Environmental Chemistry

c) Clinical/Medical Chemistry

d) Electrochemistry and Electrochemical Energy Conversion Technology

e) Academic Training and analytical Services.

During the reporting period (July 2012-June 2013), the Divisional efforts continued in different research programmes under the above major disciplines of interest are summarized below:

The objective of this study is to develop an effective sorption-based technology for removal of non-biodegradable textile reactive-dyes and heavy metals from wastewater. In the present work available natural cellulose (hardwood sawdust) was chemically modified with NaOH and sorption of a reactive dye and few heavy metals were investigated using the modified cellulose. Dye and heavy metal sorption capacities of modified adsorbents were examined by UV-Visible and AAS methods, respectively. The structural change of sawdust was confirmed by FTIR-spectrum analysis.

The applications of Mn-Oxide nanoparticle as an effective oxidant for degradation of organic contaminants in water was evaluated. In this study the structural properties of Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles synthesized through reduction of KMnO₄ with glycerol by sol-gel method were studied by XRD technique. The organic dyes, viz., methylene blue and orange red were found to be completely decolorized from their aqueous solution on treating the dyes with Mn₃O₄ suspensions in acidic media.

2.1.3 Transfer of metals from soil to vegetables and assessment of possible health risk

The present study was conducted for measurement of trace metal levels in agricultural soil and vegetables collected from Rooppur, Pabna as well as for determination of transfer factors of the measured elements to evaluate potential health effects of the people in the area concerned. Results showed that, the intake of toxic metals (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn Co, Cr, V, Ni, Pb and Cd) from vegetables was not high and found within the permissible limits recommended by WHO, Food & Nutritional Board and US EPA.

An investigation of the heavy metal levels in water and sediment of the river Padma was carried out for evaluation of aquatic environmental pollution. The elements analysed in water were Fe, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn, Cr, Cd, Pb, As and sediment samples showed the presence of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb and As. Most of the trace element contents in the river sediment were found not to exceed the background levels. The Enrichment factor and Sediment Pollution Index for almost all the measured elements in sediment samples were found within natural sediment concentration limit without ecological risk.

The environment pollution in certain part of Keraniganj district due to industrial and municipal activities were investigated in the light of toxic metal levels in soil and plant samples. The result obtained from this study showed that concentrations of the toxic elements (i.e. Co, Cd, V, Cu, Ni, Cr, Mn, Zn and As) in soil were higher than the world average values except Pb and Fe levels. Moreover, plants contained higher concentrations of Zn and Mn and low concentrations of As, Cu and Co compared to world average values.

The physicochemical parameters and heavy metal status of water and sediment of the river Buriganga were investigated for evaluation of the degree of pollution. The elemental concentrations in water and sediment were found in the sequence: Fe>Mn>Cu>Zn> Ni>Pb> As> Cd> Cr and Fe>Zn>Cu>Cr>Pb>As>Ni>Cd>Mn, respectively. The enrichment factors for Zn, Pb, Fe, As and Cu in sediment indicated anthropogenic sources responsible for heavy metal pollution. The partition coefficient, K_d values were found in the order of Fe>Cu>Zn>As>Pb and hence high Kd values indicated less leaching or dissolution from the sediment.

The surface and groundwater of RNPP site collected in winter, summer and spring seasons were investigated for physicochemical properties, cation and anion contents to assess their quality as reactor coolants with respect to corrosion. Temperature, pH, EC, TDS, salinity, cations (Al, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Ni, and Cu) and anions (NO₃-¹, SO₄^-2, PO₄^-3, Cl^-1, HCO₃^-1) were measured. From the overall evaluation groundwater was found to be more suitable than surface water as coolant.

The present study aimed to investigate heavy metals in vegetables grown on the area under Roopur Nuclear Power Plant Project to evaluate their effects on the consumers. According to assessment it was found that the Health Risk Index and the Hazard Index values for most of the measured elements in vegetables (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) were within the safe limit. The Metal Pollution Index values for bottle groud leaf, water spinach, lady’s finger, spinach and tomato were very high indicating heavy metal contamination which might have significant threat on human health.

This study ascertains the influence of trace heavy metals on some aquatic organisms of the river Padma and assesses the health risk from the harmful effect of toxic metals in the river-fishes. Under this investigation water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and milfoil (Myriophylum spicatum) plants and commonly consumed small fishes collected from the river were analyzed for trace heavy elements using EDXRF technique. In consideration of human health related with fish consumption the daily dietary intake levels were observed to be very much low for Cu and Zn and marginally high for As and high for Pb compared to respective FAO/WHO suggested standard values.

The main objective of this work is to find out the characteristics of particulate matter (PM) sources during winter and monsoon seasons. The PM (PM10 and PM2.5) collected in winter and monsoon periods at the continuous air monitoring station (CAMS-2) at the Farm Gate site were analyzed using reconstructed mass (RCM) method and the sources- sulfate, sea salt, smoke, soil, carbonaceous sources, Zn and Pb were identified. The data set was also analyzed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method for identification of sources like mixed sources, soil dust, road dust, sea salt, Zn and fugitive Pb. Both RCM and PCA methods showed the same characteristics of sources.

This work focuses the identification of carbonaceous sources using PMF modeling. This was done in two ways. Firstly, total OC and EC data were included in the elemental data set to separate out the sources of fine PM. Secondly, fractions of OC and EC data were included in the elemental data set to find out the sources of fine PM. The main goal was to find out the haze contributing particles from local aerosol extinction coefficient and sources derived from the fine PM using PMF2 modeling.

The chemical characterization of biomass burning smoke deposition from cooking stoves at the rural areas in Brahmondi, Narsingdi, Bangladesh was studied. The smoke deposits collected from the kitchen ceiling were analyzed for K, Ca, Ti, Fe, Mn, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, and Pb. The surface morphology of all smoke deposits was almost similar. The concentrations of the elements measured followed the sequence as, K>Ca>Fe>Ti>Pb>Zr >Zn>Mn>Sr>Rb>Cu>Co> Mo>Nb>Y. The elemental concentrations in the present biomass burning smoke deposits were much higher than those of the European and USA biomass burning emissions.

Some carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) namely naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene and pyrene were studied in tobacco smoke condensate (TSC) of twenty cigarette samples using GC-MS. The results obtained are as follows: naphthalene and fluorene were found at very high concentration in one of the samples and the values were in the range of 2.654-52.550 µg/kg and 1.675-19.520 µg/kg, respectively. Phenanthrene and anthracene levels were 9.106 and 50.110 µg/kg in BC1, 1.942 and 10.680 µg/kg in BC3 and <0.0002 µg/kg in BC2, respectively.

This study involved the analysis of petroleum hydrocarbons in Padma river water samples. The hydrocarbons-Decane(C₁₀), undecane (C₁₁), dodecane (C₁₂), tridecane (C₁₃), and pentadecane (C₁₅) were found below the detection limit of 0.0002 µg/L. The other hydrocarbons- Tetradecane (MDL-1.1450 µg/L), hexadecane (MDL-1.4890µg/L), heptadecane (MDL-3.3493 µg/L) and nonadecane (MDL-8.3950 µg/L) were also found below the detection limits in the samples. Only one sample showed the presence of eicosane at concentration level of 7.795µg/L. The recovery results are as follows: Decane (C₁₀)- 99.73%, undecane(C₁₁)- 83.614%, dodecane(C₁₂)- 95.7%, tridecane(C₁₃)- 86.897%, tetradecane(C₁₄)-71.86%, pentadecane(C₁₅)-64.2%, hexadecane(C₁₆)-73.54%, heptadecane (C₁₇)-75.54%, nonadecane(C₁₉)-88.95% and Eicosane(C₂₀)- 98.59%.

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were investigated in some Padma river water samples. The concentrations of PAHs obtained were as follows: Naphthalene: <0.0002-0.5192µg/L, phenanthrene: <0.0002-0.6808 µg/L, anthracene: <0.0002-0.8189µg/L and pyrene: <0.0002-0.8768 µg/L. Fluorene was found below 0.0002 µg/L in all samples. The recovery for naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene and pyrene were 93.92%, 68.65%, 95.26%, 94.23% and 92.50%, respectively.

Phenol and few phenolic derivatives were studied in Padma river water samples collected from different points during rainy and winter seasons. The concentrations of phenol in rainy season samples at Lalonshah bridge East point were found in the range of 0.094-1.514µg/L whereas in the winter season the level was found below 0.003µg/L. In both seasons, the phenol contents of water at Rooppur Char and Baer Char points were in the range of MDL-0.1295 µg/L whereas at Lalonshah West and Pakshi points, it was found below the detection limit. In both seasons, 2-methyl phenol was found below the detection limit at all points and 3-methyl phenol level in Hardinge Bridge samples was found to be 0.083µg/L.

(c) Clinical/Medical Chemistry

2.1.17 Serum copper level in children with Thalassemia major

Thalassaemia is an inherited hemoglobin disorder resulting in chronic hemolytic anaemia. The aim of this study was to determine serum copper level in patients with beta thalassemia major. Copper, one of the essential trace elements was found to be significantly increased in thalassemia major patients compared to controls. This increased level of copper may be due to hemochromatosis that occurs as complications in thalassemia major. This study was taken to investigate and compare serum copper level in beta thalassemic major patients with the normal individuals.

2.2 Services Rendered

The Division regularly provides analytical services to different organizations (Govt., Semi-Govt. and Private etc.). The services mainly include quality control and quality certification of raw materials and products, clinical assay, academic pursuit and chemical analysis of different materials. The analytical services for heavy elements, both essential and toxic, are being carried in different fields such as food and agriculture (fertilizers and plant material), fisheries (fish products), metallurgy (coin, gold, silver, alloy), geology (soil, rock, sediment), commerce and industry (paint, salt, tea, drinks, oil), human health and medicine (multi-vitamin mineral tablet, hair, nail, blood, urine and skin), environmental samples (air, soil and water) etc. The analytical services for some organic compounds also have been provided. During the reporting period, in the present laboratory 1858 samples have been analyzed for 2461 parameters.

3. ELECTRONICS DIVISION, AECD

3.1 Objective

Electronics Division has been providing services through repair and maintenance of various types of medical, analytical and nuclear instruments belonging to all divisions of Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka (AECD). The Division has also been developing of embedded system, FPGA based system and PC based system to facilitate nuclear and analytical research at AECD. To achieve self reliance in the field of advanced instrumentation in National level the division organizes National Training Course (NTC).

3.2 Programme

Main activities of the Division are in the following areas:

• 
  Design and Development of customized prototype system for measurement & control
  
• 
  Repair & Maintenance of Nuclear, Medical & Industrial equipments
  
• 
  Training Program
  
• 
  Research Collaboration
  

3.3 Design and Development of Customized Embedded System

The design activity of the division mainly focused towards the prototype design of customized instruments to facilitate nuclear and analytical research at AECD. The following system has been designed and developed during this period:

• 
  PC based Temperature and Relative Humidity (T & RH%) monitoring and data logging system(ongoing).
  
• 
  Data acquisition module
  
• 
  Microcontroller based light intensity controller for fountain at AECD
  
• 
  Prototype microcontroller based wireless water level detection system for water tank using ultrasonic distance measurement sensor.
  
• 
  Microcontroller based 8 digit 7 segment display using MAX7219 driver
  
• 
  Simulation of FPGA based Single Channel Analyzer (SCA) used in nuclear counting system (on going).
  
• 
  Water Pump Controller
  
• 
  Logic Gates Test circuit
  
• 
  Development of trainer kits for National Training Course (NTC)
  

3.4 Repair and Maintenance of Electronic Instruments

Activities of the division is concentrated to repair and maintenance of electronics equipment used by different divisions of AECD.

Sl. No.	Type of the instruments	No. of instruments
1.	Scientific, Nuclear and Analytical	25
2.	Computer (System Unit, with software installation), Printer	72
3.	Telephone and Intercom System	110

3.5 Training Course Organized and Seminar Arranged

i) Two National Training Courses on “Microcontroller and Interfacing” Nov.2012 were organized by the division. Total 52 participants from seven Polytechnic Institutes attended in the training course.

ii) National Training Course on “Introduction to LabVIEW – Virtual Instrument and PC based Control System” 30 June - 04 July, 2013 was organized. Total 14 participants from eight different organizations attended in the training program.

iii) Electronics Division conducts three months long industrial attachment training program for students of Dhaka, Comilla, Mymensingh, Bogra, Ahsanullah, National and Bangladesh Polytechnic Institutes. Total 52 students attended this program from October 2012 to January 2013.

4. EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS DIVISION, AECD

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