[en] Within the Alligator Rivers Region the aquatic environment is potentially the most likely part of the natural environment to be adversely affected as a result of the proposed uranium mining and milling operations. Current knowledge relating to the existing aquatic biota and water quality in the region is reviewed with particular emphasis on the Magela Creek Catchment. Attention is given to identifying the most important potential impacts and to management strategies that will minimise such impacts

[en] This report describes the current status of the photothermal non-destructive testing (NDT) of sprayed coatings on components in conventional and nuclear power plant. Thickness measurements of sprayed coatings have been performed and the thickness resolution capability has been shown to be, in principle, of the order of 1 micrometre. Sub-surface defects down to 0.5mm is size have been detected, using a tightly focused laser beam. The ability to distinguish between penetrated and non-penetrated welds has been illustrated. A portable diode-laser based system is being designed for on-line manufacturing quality assurance and in-situ inspection of coatings. Finally, the potential cost benefit and current research programme are outlined. (author)

[en] A Pop-Up-Pore-Pressure-Instrument (PUPPI) has been developed to measure differential pore pressures in sediments. The differential pressure is the pressure above or below normal hydrostatic pressure at the depth of the measurement. It is designed to operate in water depths up to 6000 metres for periods of weeks or months, if required, and measures differential pore pressures at depths of up to 3 metres into the sediments with a resolution of 0.05 kPa. It is a free-fall device with a lance which penetrates the sediments. This lance and the ballast weight is disposed when the PUPPI is acoustically released from the sea floor. When combined with permeability and porosity values of deep-sea sediments the pore pressure measurements made using the PUPPI suggest advection velocities as low as 8.8 mm/yr. The mechanical, electrical and acoustic systems are described together with data obtained from both shallow and deep water trials. (author)

[en] Because hand-frisking at large nuclear facilities is time-consuming, cost-ineffective and potentially ignored, automatic personnel contamination monitors have been developed commercially. This article describes in some detail the performance of a number of commercially available personnel contamination monitors which are considered state-of-the-art in technology. Also reviewed are the alpha, beta, gamma and x radiation detection capabilities and combinations of radiation types where applicable for each model. Applications where one type of detector is more appropriate than another and the reasons for choosing that type of detector are discussed, as well as the use of sum zones in contamination monitoring applications and background subtraction routines

No abstract available

[en] A broad spectrum of environmental and reclamation issues associated with mine development were discussed at this conference along with rehabilitation of lands disturbed by resource exploration; metal, placer and coal mining; and, sand and gravel quarries. Research has shown that it is possible to minimize or eliminate environmental damage, even in challenging terrain, by using appropriate remedial methods such as revegetation, reforestation, soil conservation, resloping, and recontouring of the soil to return the ecosystem to a natural self-sustaining state. It was noted that revegetation and reforestation efforts typically involves the selection of appropriate species that will adapt to climatic and local soil conditions. The conference featured 21 presentations, of which 4 have been indexed separately for inclusion in this database. refs., tabs., figs

[en] The chemical composition of colloidal suspended matter can be determined by a technique coupling sedimentation field-flow fractionation (SFFF) to separate particles by size/density, with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to measure trace elemental concentrations. The unique characteristics of ICP-MS, namely high sensitivity and multielement measurement capability, provide an ideal detection system for the small sample size utilized by SFFF particle separation. Known composition clay samples (kaolinite and illite) were processed measuring ion currents for Al, Ca, Mg, Fe, SiO₂, Rb and Sr. Data from fractograms were used to reconstruct the average molecular composition of the clays. Known ratio mixtures of these clays were also analyzed and the proportion of clays in the mixture was determined from the elemental fractograms

[en] The authors report a case of a 48-yr-old woman who developed a delayed skin rash following intravenous (i.v.) administration of technetium-99m hydroxymethylene diphosphonate (^99mTc-HDP). The rash was characterized by skin biopsy, and it was concluded that the reaction was due to the diphosphonate compound. The rash resolved spontaneously without treatment. With most ^99mTc-based agents, adverse reactions are considered rare and are usually allergic in nature, but the delayed nature of this reaction is more common with diphosphonate compounds than with other radiopharmaceuticals. If a repeat examination is required, alternative agents (such as ^99mTc-pyrosphosphate) or any other diagnostic modality (magnetic resonance imaging) may be considered. An intradermal skin test may be helpful to determine the safest alternative bone agent

[en] A range of interactions of microorganisms with coal is considered. Topics include: coal biodegradation; microorganisms and acid mine drainage; biological treatment of acid coal mine drainage; and bacteria and fly ash leaching. 68 refs

[en] This annual symposium fosters the exchange of information on mine reclamation, including metal mines, coal mines, placer operations, sand and gravel operations and quarry operations. The presentations addressed a wide variety of environmental and reclamation issues associated with mine development as well as the rehabilitation of lands disturbed by resource exploration. Studies have shown that it is possible to minimize or eliminate environmental damage in all types of terrain by using appropriate remedial methods such as revegetation, reforestation, soil conservation, resloping, and recontouring of the soil to return the ecosystem to a natural self-sustaining state. Revegetation and reforestation efforts usually involve the selection of appropriate species that will adapt to climatic and local soil conditions. The conference featured 23 presentations, of which 3 have been catalogued separately for inclusion in this database. refs., tabs., figs