ERL Services

• Atmospheric aerosol levels assessment in construction or industrial sites
• Laboratory Unit for radiochemical analyses
• Laboratory Unit for low-level environmental radioactivity measurements (Counting Room)
• 5 Systems for low level radioactivity analysis (a, b, g) in environmental and other samples
• 2 systems for field gamma-spectroscopy
• Atomic Absorption system for elemental analysis
• A system for in situ sample enrichment of large volume aquatic samples
• Application of state-of-the-art methods and development of instrumentation for the physico-chemical characterization of atmospheric aerosol
• Monitoring of environmental radioactivity and health and climate-related atmospheric species

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, AAS: Our instrument is the Varian 220 with GTA 110 graphite oven. The method of analysis is in accordance with the international standard EN 14902: 2005 which meets the European directive 1999/30 / EC, 96/62 / EC and 2004/107 / EC for elements such as Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni) and Arsenic (As). This method is suitable for use as a standard method for the determination of trace elements in aerosol samples. The method offers low detection limits (Karanasiou et al, 2005). The elemental analysis of suspended particles, due to the particularly low concentrations of the elements, offers a particular challenge. Our laboratory is specially equipped to ensure the correct handling of samples at each stage of the analysis process, while the staff has extensive experience and expertise for effective application of the technique to aerosol samples. The certification of the laboratory for sampling PM10 according to the directive EN 12341, ensures that the staff is well trained in the handling of such samples.

X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF): PANanalytical Epsilon 5 is available to apply this technique, which due to its unique technological innovations, is considered one of the most suitable XRF instruments for data analysis of suspended particle samples. According to what is described in the international standard EN 14902: 2005 which satisfies the European directives 1999/30 / EC, 96/62 / EC and 2004/107 / EC for the elements Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel ( Ni) and Arsenic (As) which states that it can be used to analyze aerosol samples, any technique being equivalent to standard techniques.

Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring: ERL operates a network of 25 sampling and measuring stations across the country, which is a key part of the National routine network. Besides, ERL performs case studies and carries out radioactivity measurements and analyses on case demand.