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SUMMARY:Categorization and characterization of uranium-bearing materials f
 or nuclear forensic attribution using ICP-MS
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260518T124100Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260518T124900Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260624T103032Z
UID:indico-contribution-3817@indico.tlabs.ac.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Khumoetsile Jonas (North-west university )\nThe incr
 easing risk of illicit trafficking and misuse of nuclear and radioactive m
 aterials has highlighted the importance of nuclear forensics in supporting
  radiological crime scene investigations and nuclear security. This study 
 focuses on the categorization and characterization of uranium-bearing mate
 rials to support nuclear forensic attribution and investigative processes.
  Uranium materials originating from different stages of the nuclear fuel c
 ycle were analyzed using advanced analytical techniques to determine their
  physical\, chemical and isotopic signatures. Samples including Uranium or
 e and triuranium octoxide were prepared through crushing\,pulverization an
 d microwave digestion prior to analysis. Elemental and isotopic measuremen
 ts were performed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry.  The
 se techniques enabled the determination of trace elements concentrations\,
  rare-earth elements (REE) patterns\, uranium isotopic ratios and lead iso
 topic ratios that serve as distinctive nuclear forensic signatures. \n\nTh
 e results demonstrate that uranium-bearing materials possess measurable el
 emental and isotopic characteristics that can be used to distinguish mater
 ials originating from different geological sources and processing stages. 
 Rare-earth element distributions\, uranium and lead isotopic compositions 
 provided valuable geochemical fingerprints that support source attribution
 . Overall\, the study highlights the importance of combining elemental and
  isotopic analysis for reliable categorization and characterization of ura
 nium-bearing materials. These signatures provide critical information for 
 nuclear forensic investigations and may contribute to the development of a
  national nuclear forensic library to assist law enforcement and regulator
 y authorities in identifying the origin and history of intercepted nuclear
  materials.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/139/contributions/3817/
LOCATION:NRF-iThemba LABS\, Old Faure Road\, Cape Town Auditorium
URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/139/contributions/3817/
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