Organically bound tritium (OBT) behaviour and analysis: outcomes of the seminar held in Balaruc-les-Bains in May 2012

Abstract

Within the last ten years there has been increasing interest in tritium behaviour and distribution in the environment. This is based partly on empirical findings that tritium discharged mostly as HTO can become transformed into organic forms in environmental samples. An international workshop was convened in France in 2012 to gather the scientific community interested in organically bound tritium to share their experience and to establish a current state of knowledge. This paper summarises the outcome of the workshop, which aimed to improve skills concerning OBT (Organically Bound Tritium) determination, transfer and behaviour in the environment. In order to improve OBT measurement credibility, it was decided to conduct and promote OBT analysis through inter-laboratory exercises. This practice will reduce uncertainty in OBT analysis results, providing better OBT model validation data and public dose assessments.

A New Reference Material for Tritium Organic Molecules in Sediment: Results of an International Intercomparison Exercise

“…As part of a recently formed International Working Group on OBT (Baglan et al . ), a need for such NMRMs was confirmed. It was agreed to address the current shortage through a series of intercomparison exercises organised by the working group, with exercises focussing on OBT reference materials for potato, sediment, wheat and grass (Baglan et al .…”

“…Techniques for the determination of 3 H in environmental samples are well established (e.g., Baglan et al . ) however, only a limited number of intercomparison exercises focussing on TOM/OBT have been reported (e.g., Kim et al . ).…”

“…Techniques for the determination of 3 H in environmental samples are well established (e.g., Baglan et al 2013) however, only a limited number of intercomparison exercises focussing on TOM/OBT have been reported (e.g., Kim et al 2015). In addition, the availability of suitable natural matrix reference materials (NMRMs) for method validation and quality control purposes are limited.…”

A new bomb-combustion system for tritium extraction

“…Typically large sample sizes must be prepared in order to meet demanding limits of detection (LODs). This is particularly applicable to the assessment of organically bound tritium (OBT) [ 7 , 8 ] Nuclear decommissioning Representative analysis of certain organic-rich orphan wastes such as plastics, elastomeric materials and oils that are difficult to process by other extraction techniques Fusion reactor operations Analysis of 3 H contaminated soft wastes (e.g. gloves, coveralls, plastic sheeting, paper towel).…”

Bruit de fond du tritium en milieu terrestre

“…notamment Belot et al, 1996 ;Boyer et al, 2009 ;Lebaron-Jacobs et al, 2009 ;Fournier et Jaunet, 2011 ;IAEA, 2012 ;Baglan et al, 2013 ;Guetat, 2013 ;Guetat et al, 2013). Cette note ne vise pas à reproduire la bibliographie existante, mais présente des résultats de mesure du tritium dans l'environnement non influencé par un rejet contemporain, afin de préciser le niveau du bruit de fond de ce radionucléide.…”