ALMERA proficiency test on the determination of radionuclides in spinach, soil and water. IAEA-CU-2007-04

The Analytical Laboratories for the Measurement of Environmental Radioactivity (ALMERA) network established by the IAEA in 1995 makes available to Member States a world-wide network of analytical laboratories capable of providing reliable and timely analysis of environmental samples in the event of an accidental or intentional release of radioactivity. The network is a technical collaboration of existing institutions. It provides an operational framework to link expertise and resources, in particular when a boundary-transgressing contamination is expected or when an event is of international significance. A primary requirement of the ALMERA members is participation in the IAEA interlaboratory comparisons which are specifically organized for ALMERA on a regular basis. These exercises are designed to monitor and demonstrate the performance and analytical capabilities of the network members, and to identify gaps and problem areas where further development is needed. Continued membership has benefits in training and educational opportunities, enhanced mutual trust in results and methodology and objective evidence for accreditation purposes. The performance evaluation results of the proficiency tests performed in the frame of the ALMERA network are not anonymous for those laboratories nominating to participate as ALMERA members. The Chemistry Unit of the Physics, Chemistry and Instrumentation Laboratory in the IAEA Laboratory, Seibersdorf in Austria, has the programmatic responsibility to support activities in Member States laboratories, including coordination of ALMERA network. This report describes the methodology employed and the results obtained in the IAEA-CU- 2009-04 proficiency test on determination of radionuclides in spinach, soil and water