The use of accelerators in environmental study

Over the past decade scientific literature has reported a continuous increase in the use of analytic techniques employing accelerators in study of the environment. This is owing to the special features of these techniques, which may be summed up as follows: they are highly sensitive, provide a great deal of information and both instruments and calculations may be automated. This paper sets out to review the state of the techniques in their several aspects, viz. what machines are used, which analytic devices most commonly employed, the methods of preparation of targets, the environmental problems most commonly investigated. Special importance is given to techniques of analysis using spectrometry of the characteristic X-rays induced by accelerated low-energy ions (Particle Induced X-ray Emission, PIXE), which in Italy as elsewhere find useful application in the evaluation of the atmosphere and water environment. Analytical methods using beams of accelerated particles have been developed into a powerful tool in an environmental studies. PIXE, in conjunction with PESA (FAST) and PIGE, covers practically the whole periodic table in one single run. The achieved sensitivities are very high (and, for PIXE, of the same order of magnitude for most elements of interest) and suitable for solving a great many environmental analytical problems. These techniques are fast, non-destructive, and do not require precautions against radioactive risks. In fact, the great majority of experimental data on environmental problems is nowadays obtained by using accelerated particles