Ghana Atomic Energy Commission Research Articles

Towards Establishing Capacity for Biological Dosimetry at Ghana Atomic Energy Commission.

The aim of this study was not only to obtain basic technical prerequisites for the establishment of capacity of biological dosimetry at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) but also to stimulate interest in biological dosimetry research in Ghana and Sub-Saharan Africa. Peripheral blood from four healthy donors was exposed to different doses (0–6 Gy) of gamma rays from a radiotherapy machine and lymphocytes were subsequently stimulated, cultured, and processed according to standard protocols for 48–50 h. Processed cells were analyzed for the frequencies of dicentric and centric ring chromosomes. Radiation dose delivered to the experimental model was verified using GafChromic® EBT films in parallel experiments. Basic technical prerequisites for the establishment of capacity of biological dosimetry in the GAEC have been realized and expertise in the dicentric chromosome assay consolidated. We successfully obtained preliminary cytogenetic data for a dose-response relationship of the irradiated blood lymphocytes. The data strongly indicate the existence of significant linear (α) and quadratic (β) components and are consistent with those published for the production of chromosome aberrations in comparable absorbed dose ranges.

Effects of Different Cooking Methods on Heavy Metals Level in Fresh and Smoked Game Meat

This study investigated the effects of different cooking methods on heavy metals levels in fresh and smoked bush meat. Thirty-five fresh meat samples were washed thoroughly before employing the three different cooking methods (boiling, grilling and frying). Smoked meat samples obtained from central market were subjected to only boiling. Samples were protein digested and the digested solution was submitted to the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission for analysis. The Atomic Absorption Spectrometer was employed to detect the presence and concentration of heavy metal in game meats: (Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Manganese (Mn) and Zinc (Zn)). The data obtained was analyzed with a one- way analysis of variance. Results showed that different cooking methods had significant effect on heavy metals concentration with boiling increasing Fe, Pb, and Cu concentrations but reduced Zn (zinc) and Mn (manganese) concentration. Grilling increased Fe and Cu concentrations, but reduced Pb, Zn and Mn concentrations. Frying decreased Fe, Cu and Mn but increased Zn and Pb concentrations; lastly Cadmium (Cd) concentrations were within the recommended range and were not affected by any of the cooking methods. It is therefore recommended that consumers of game meat should be encouraged to subject fresh game meat to grilling which has the capacity to reduce the concentration of the most toxic heavy metal (Pb). These findings shall inform measures in consumer safety.

Evaluation of Potential Accessions of African Rice (Oryza glaberrima Steud) with Essential Mineral Elements for Breeding Purposes

Aim: The study was to identify superior accessions of African rice (Oryza glaberrima Steud.) for breeding to obtain nutrient-rich varieties to combat micro-nutrient malnutrition. Original Research Article Amoatey et al.; JAERI, 3(3): 97-106, 2015; Article no.JAERI.2015.037 98 Place and Duration of Study: Field experimentation was carried out at Soil and Irrigation Research Institute, University of Ghana. Laboratory analyses were done at Ghana Research Reactor 1 (GHARR-1) and the Department of Chemistry and Environmental Research Centre, both of the National Nuclear Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission. All the research activities were conducted between the period July, 2010 and June, 2011. Methodology: Seventeen local accessions of African rice were evaluated for their reproductive and yield characteristics alongside NERICA 1, a high-yielding, protein-rich hybrid purposely bred for Africa. The dried seeds were analyzed for seven essential mineral elements: calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium and zinc using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and neutron activation analysis. Results: The study did not identify any accession with high or appreciable levels of both iron and zinc which are considered vital in alleviating micro-nutrient malnutrition. However, the accession N/4 showed significantly (P < 0.05) high zinc content (30.10 mg kg -1 ) while Awerema significantly (P < 0.05) recorded the highest amount of iron (386.6 mg kg). Conclusion: The two accessions may therefore be utilized in a hybridization program for developing new lines of African rice rich in both iron and zinc.

Investigating Soil and Water Contamination of Trace Metals in Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality, Ghana

Tarkwa - Nsuam Municipality in the Western Region of Ghana has a long history of mining activity. In the Tarkwa area, small - scale mining is found all around; both in the forest and along the rivers. The study aimed at ascertaining the level of heavy metal pollution of water resources and soils in Tarkwa. The general objective of the project was to investigate the extent of health risk posed by heavy metals in mine drainage in the Tarkwa area. Soil and water sam ples were collected from 15 communities in the Tarkwa mining area and the concentrations in parts per million (ppm) of Mercury (Hg), Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), and Lead (Pb) were determined in each sample using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (IN AA). The samples and the controls were irradiated in the Ghana Research Reactor - 1 (GHARR - 1) at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), operating at 15KW at a thermal flux of 5  10 11 n s  1 cm  2 . Selected communities in the Tarkwa mining area, especially, Teberebie, Mile7, Akyempim, Mile 8, Mile 10½, and Mile 9 however,have their water sources fairly contaminated with elevated levels of arsenic, mercury, and cadmium due to ‘galamsey’ activities. Since most of the bore holes have very low yields and do not s erve the

Consumer acceptance of irradiation for sterilisation: a systemic approach to the case of medical items and food in Ghana

The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) commercialises irradiation sterilisation since 2010. Capacity-building using a 'systems thinking' approach during series of stakeholder workshops and interviews has shown a remarkable impact on factors influencing adoption, and challenges involved in irradiation sterilisation. Results indicated that the adoption of irradiation sterilisation increases as end-users acquired knowledge about its efficiency. However, the benefits of optimising the adoption of irradiation sterilisation are in direct conflict with more demand leading to 'waiting in lines', creating resistance to complete confirmation. To increase the utilisation of the facility, GAEC must adopt a more interactive system to avoid queueing. This paper demonstrates the practical approach of 'systems thinking' using the evolutionary learning laboratory for marketing practices, monitoring and evaluation to replace old business marketing and management models. With regard to the important contribution irradiation can have on the improvement of public health, it may usher a greater potential for investors.

Preliminary Studies of Insect Diversity and Abundance on Twelve Accessions of Tomato, Solanum lycopersicon L. Grown in a Coastal Savannah Agro Ecological Zone

The relative abundance and diversity of insect species were studied for three months, between the months of June and August 2013 on twelve different accessions of tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission’s Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute (BNARI) farm. The main objectives of the study were to determine the insect diversity and the relative abundance of the insect species on twelve tomato accessions. The field was divided into four replicates each containing twelve different accessions of tomato coded V1, through to V12. In general, there was lower abundance of insect species across tomato accessions. The study revealed higher abundance of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera, Aleyroidae) on accession V11 followed by V1 with V6 having the least number. Bemisia tabaci accounted for 95.5% of the insect counts. Low diversity of insect species was observed across the field of study. B. tabaci, Omocestus viridulus, (Linnaeus) (Orthoptera, Acrididae) and Psylla mali (Schmidb) (Hemiptera, Psyllidae) were observed to occur on all the accessions. Accessions V6 and V11 have the highest diversity of insects while accession V3 has the least diversity. The other major insect pests such as Aphis craccivora (Koch) (Hemiptera, Aphididae), Phenacoccus sp., Podagrica sp. and Zonocerus variegatus (Linnaeus) (Orthoptera, Pyrgomorphidae) recorded very low percentages. The highest record of insect pests was recorded at the fruiting stage of the plant’s development. Fourteen different insect species were recorded giving an indication of the species diversity of the farm.

English

The main attributes of waste as a fuel are water content, calorific value, and burnable content. The study was conducted to evaluate the energy recovery potential of solid waste generated in Akosombo. A total of twelve (12) samples were collected from the township in December, 2012 (dry month) and May, 2013 (Wet month). Samples were weighed and segregated into organic and inorganic components. The organic component was thoroughly mixed, shredded and sieved for analysis at Ghana Atomic Energy Commission Laboratory, Accra. Proximate analysis was conducted to obtain the chemical characteristics of the solid waste. Dulong’s Equation was used to determine the heating values with the data obtained from the ultimate analysis. The study obtained moisture contents of 58 and 36% for the wet and dry months respectively that shows the prospects of bio-chemical conversion for the wet month and thermo-chemical conversion for the dry month. The study obtained high percentage organic matter (70%) that can support both conversions. The calorific values ranged between 1.39 × 104 to 2.99 × 104 kJ/kg making it suitable for thermo-chemical conversions. The study reveals that the types of solid waste generated in Akosombo have substantial organic matter, moisture content and calorific value or energy content, making them suitable for energy generation. It is therefore recommended that thermal plants that can convert solid waste into fuel should be provided to harness the potentials of waste in the country. Key words: Municipal solid waste, waste, energy, heating values, calorific value.

Potential Benefits of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization to Ghana

The National Data Centers established around the globe with the support of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization are used to monitor and manage its data, to control and ultimately eliminate nuclear weapon test explosions. The National Data Center in Ghana was established in February, 2010 at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission. The Center is mandated to collate seismic, radionuclide, infrasound and hydroacoustic data for monitoring nuclear test explosions for global peace. The data are obtained from our neighboring country Cote d’Ivoire and the International Data Center in Austria. The objectives of the Data Center include the following: receive and use data from the International Monitoring System (IMS) stations and products derived from the IMS from the International Data Center for verification and compliance of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and for earthquake hazard studies. From 2010 to date local seismic events from the Center are catalogued for earthquake hazard studies in the country. The data are also made available to our stakeholders for earthquake disaster risk reduction. The benefits of the National Data Center to Ghana are numerous. Apart from the data for seismic hazard studies, it can also provide data for research in fisheries, for the study of the crustal structure among others. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.erem.67.1.5402

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis of Honey Samples from Lokoja and Suleija North Central Nigeria

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) using Ghana Research Reactor (GHARR-1) at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GHAEC) operating at 15kW at a thermal flux of 5 x10n cms was used to determine nine elements in honey samples from Lokoja and Suleija North Central Nigeria. The elements were; Al, Br, Ca, Cl, K, Mg, Mn, Na, and V. The concentration of the elements varied in the different samples ranging from few ppm to few percentages.

Effects of gamma irradiation and stearic acid, alone and in combination, on functional, structural, and molecular characteristics of high amylose maize starch

This research was funded in part under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Technical Cooperation (TC) project and Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GHA/0/010, Government of Ghana).

Study of Criticality Safety and Neutronic Performance for a 348-Fuel-Pin Ghana Research Reactor-1 LEU Core Using MCNP Code

The National Nuclear Research Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission is undertaking steps to convert the Ghana Research Reactor-1 from HEU Core to LEU. The proposed LEU core consists of 12.5% enriched UO2 fuel elements clad in Zircaloy-4 alloy. This is done in collaboration with Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactor. The versatile MCNP code was used to analyse the neutronics parameters given in the SAR of HEU core, thereby characterizing the core. Subsequently, the LEU core was indentified with necessary changes to the HEU MCNP model. It was ascertained that the reactivity for the LEU core with the same number of fuel pins as the HEU was inadequate, hence the fuel pins were increased from 344 to 348. The neutron flux at the irradiation sites was found to be below the nominal value at full power for the LEU and hence the nominal power was increased to 34 kW for a nominal flux value of 1 × 1012 n/cm2.s. The parameters investigated for the HEU and LEU are shown in this paper.

Ghana’s experience in the establishment of a national data center

The government of Ghana in a bilateral agreement with the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) has established a National Data Center in Ghana with the aim of monitoring the testing of nuclear explosions. Seismic, hydroacoustic, radionuclide and infrasound methods are used for the monitoring. The data center was commissioned on 3 February, 2010 at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission. At present Ghana does not have any operational, centralised data (seismic, hydroacoustic, radionuclide and infrasound) acquisition system with the capability of accessing data from other international stations. Hence, the need of setting up the National Data Center which would enable us constantly monitor, manage and coordinate both natural and man-made seismic activities in the country and around the globe, upload data to the International Data Center (IDC) as well as receive and use International Monitoring System (IMS) data and IDC products for treaty verification and compliance. Apart from these, the center also accesses and analyzes seismic waveforms relevant to its needs from the International Data Center; makes data available to its stakeholder institutions for earthquake disaster mitigation; reports on all aspects of disasters related to earthquake to the relevant government agencies that deal with disasters; makes recommendations to the government of Ghana on earthquake safety measures; provides information to assist government institutions to develop appropriate land and building policies. The center in collaboration with stakeholder agencies periodically organises public lectures on earthquake disaster risk mitigation.

Assessment of annual whole-body occupational radiation exposure in education, research and industrial sectors in Ghana (2000-09)

Institutions in the education, research and industrial sectors in Ghana are quite few in comparison to the medical sector. Occupational exposure to radiation in the education, research and industrial sectors in Ghana have been analysed for a 10 y period between 2000 and 2009, by extracting dose data from the database of the Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission. Thirty-four institutions belonging to the three sectors were monitored out of which ∼65% were in the industrial sector. During the 10 y study period, monitored institutions ranged from 18 to 23 while the exposed workers ranged from 246 to 156 between 2000 and 2009. Annual collective doses received by all the exposed workers reduced by a factor of 2 between 2000 and 2009. This is seen as a reduction in annual collective doses in education/research and industrial sectors by ∼39 and ∼62%, respectively, for the 10 y period. Highest and least annual collective doses of 182.0 man mSv and 68.5 man mSv were all recorded in the industrial sector in 2000 and 2009, respectively. Annual average values for dose per institution and dose per exposed worker decreased by 49 and 42.9%, respectively, between 2000 and 2009. Average dose per exposed worker for the 10 y period was least in the industrial sector and highest in the education/research sector with values 0.6 and 3.7 mSv, respectively. The mean of the ratio of annual occupationally exposed worker (OEW) doses for the industrial sector to the annual OEW doses for the education/research sector was 0.67, a suggestion that radiation protection practices are better in the industrial sector than they are in the education/research sector. Range of institutional average effective doses within the education/research and industrial sectors were 0.059-6.029, and 0.110-2.945 mSv, respectively. An average dose per all three sectors of 11.87 mSv and an average dose per exposed worker of 1.12 mSv were realised for the entire study period. The entire study period had 187 instances in which exposed workers received individual annual doses >1 mSv, with exposed workers in the education/research sector primarily receiving most of this individual dose.

Systematic Approach to Training Occupationally Exposed Workers in Ghana and the Rest of Africa

The International Basic Safety Standards requires that all personnel on whom protection and safety depends be trained and qualified. The Radiation Protection Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission has adopted a systematic approach to training those occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation in the course of their work. In collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency several training courses have been implemented at the national level and in the African region. From 1993 to 2008, more than 400 occupationally exposed workers in Ghana were trained on radiation safety. Several African regional training events on radiation safety have also been executed with a total participation number of 583 individuals. The training events have contributed towards upgrading the safety culture within institutions that have participated.

Resource Needs for Nuclear Power Generation in Ghana

Nuclear power is a proven technology that has served humanity for the past fifty years. It has provided electricity for several countries and shall continue to serve as a viable base load source of electric power. The need for skilled human resources for nuclear practice cannot be overlooked in the quest of any nation to adopt the technology. The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission and the University of Ghana in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency have thus started a Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences to provide the human resources needed for nuclear power generation in Ghana. The School currently offers second degree courses as well as doctor of philosophy courses. Financial, land and water resource needs for nuclear power generation have been discussed. Availability of the national grid due to the deregulation of the electric power sector has also been discussed. Nuclear Fuel availability has been discussed along with the steps Ghana has to go through to obtain the technology to her development. The legal and legislative framework for nuclear power generation has also been presented. The programs currently available from the IAEA to assist Ghana to develop nuclear power have also been discussed. Conclusions have been drawn based on the discussions made.

Operational Safety Experience of Ghana Research Reactor-1 and Its Impact on the Nuclear Power Program in Ghana

Ghana has operated her miniature neutron source reactor with careful adherence to safety standards. Reactor's safety features have proven efficient and several efforts are underway at the Centre to ensure its safe operation. The ageing management policy of the Centre has usually been integrated into the existing schemes for ensuring safe practice. The periodic safety reviews that have also allowed for efficient safety analysis are also discussed. The establishment of the School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences by the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission in collaboration with the University of Ghana is facilitating training of the needed human resources for the operation of the facility as well as the planned nuclear power plant and maintenance of nuclear knowledge in the country.

Implementation of dose management system at radiation protection board of Ghana Atomic Energy Commission

The dose management system (DMS) is a computer software developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency for managing data on occupational exposure to radiation sources and intake of radionuclides. It is an integrated system for the user-friendly storage, processing and control of all existing internal and external dosimetry data. The Radiation Protection Board (RPB) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission has installed, customised, tested and using the DMS as a comprehensive DMS to improve personnel and area monitoring in the country. Personnel dose records from the RPBs database from 2000 to 2009 are grouped into medical, industrial and education/research sectors. The medical sector dominated the list of monitored institutions in the country over the 10-y period representing ∼87 %, while the industrial and education/research sectors represent ∼9 and ∼4 %, respectively. The number of monitored personnel in the same period follows a similar trend with medical, industrial and education/research sectors representing ∼74, ∼17 and ∼9 %, respectively. Analysis of dose data for 2009 showed that there was no instance of a dose above the annual dose limit of 20 mSv, however, 2.7 % of the exposed workers received individual annual doses >1 mSv. The highest recorded individual annual dose and total collective dose in all sectors were 4.73 mSv and 159.84 man Sv, respectively. Workers in the medical sector received higher individual doses than in the other two sectors, and average dose per exposed worker in all sectors is 0.25 mSv.

Determination of levels of polychlorinated biphenyl in transformers oil from some selected transformers in parts of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

Although polychlorinated biphenyls have never been manufactured in Ghana, it has been used extensively as dielectric fluid in electric transformers and capacitors. However, very little is known of its health and environmental impacts by both managers of these transformers and capacitors and also the general public. This work therefore seeks to explore INAA as a possible alternative to screening transformer oils for PCBs by determining the total chlorine content. The total chlorine content of transformer oil samples from Ghana that tested positive and some randomly selected samples that tested negative from screening using CLOR-N-OIL test kits, have had their total chlorine estimated. INAA using the Research Reactor located at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission was used to estimate the total chlorine content of the oil samples. Neutron Activation and gamma ray spectroscopy using HPGe detector coupled to MAESTRO 32 software was used to determine the total chlorine content by integrating the peak area of the spectrum into a simplified program that was developed from the activation equation. Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis was able to validate the result obtained from the test kits screening with accuracy 7.5%. The minimum total chlorine content of the positive samples determined by NAA was 71.34 μg g −1.

Multi-elemental analysis of some Nigerian mineral rocks for a comparative assay of gamma shielding with concrete using winxcom

Analysis of chemical composition and concentration of three Nigerian minerals have been carried out with the research reactor (GHARR-1) at Ghana Atomic energy commission Kwabenya Accra, in order to analyze their gamma photon shielding prospects using WINXCOM software. The physical densities of Serpentinite rock from Katsina/ Zamfara state, Hematite rock from Kogi state and Barite from Benue states of Nigeria were measured, and their moisture content analyzed with the Am-Be neutron source irradiation facility at Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) A.B.U. in Nigeria Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of gamma ray spectra of the residual radio nuclides of the rock samples were performed using the SPAN 5.0 software. The result of the chemical composition was observed to have a good elemental correlation with the well known neutron shields (concrete), but indicative of a better substitute to ordinary concrete when, in addition, the moisture retention capabilities, refractive properties and, most importantly, their densities are taken into account. The knowledge of the elemental composition is a requirement for calculating the shielding characteristics using WINXCOM. For an increase in photon energy by a factor of 0.21keV the mass attenuation in Serpentinite decreased by 2.0cm2/g; Hematite had a decrease of 5.0cm2/g; Barite also decreased by 5cm2/g while concrete had its mass attenuated by only 1.3cm2/g. Keywords: Transmission, Reflection, Mineral rock, Thermal neutrons, Fast neutrons, Moisture

Neutron Activation Analysis of Chitin And Chitosan Extracted From Local Sea Crab Shells

Multielemental determinations in Chitin and Chitosan powders extracted from exoskeletons of local crab shells using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) technique are reported. The samples were initially irradiated in a neutron thermal flux of 5 x 1011 n.cm-2s-1 in the 30kW Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR) at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC).Using a combination of short, medium and long irradiation schemes, fourteen elements were identified and quantified of which twelve (Al, Ca, Cl, Mg, Mn, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Sb, and Sc) were common to both samples. The study shows that these samples are rich sources of minor and major elements important for nutrition and growth in both plants and animals. Journal of the Ghana Science Association Vol. 9 (2) 2007: pp. 38-42