Two reference publications have been published, through the IAEA. One is a technical document that serves as guide for the collection, processing and analysis of samples. Another is a guide on sediment dating based on lead-210.
The review meeting particularly noted the improved regional capacity in the Caribbean in the use of nuclear techniques to reconstruct the history of pollution in coastal ecosystems. This included more field and laboratory instruments to support sediment collection and preparation of samples, and more counterparts trained in various analytical techniques.
To ensure the quality of results from laboratories, basic standards are provided to the laboratories, and intercomparison exercises are organized.
Project Impact
A core project objective is to get the results into the hands of decision-makers of the countries involved and of relevant regional authorities on the environment. This would be in the form of technical reports, scientific papers, brochures and reports to be published in leading journals or presented at major conferences and symposia.
"The main results will really be of interest for decision-making," states Dr. Jane Gerardo-Abaya. "That is why we need to reach out to stakeholders and decision-makers through existing regional channels. Unless these groups know about the project results, know about the situation and know about the capabilities in the region through this project, the impact will not be reached."
The Panama review meeting showed that, as the project starts on its third year, sufficient data has been gathered that could be provided to decision makers and to society within 1-2 years.
"At the end of the project, we want to tell the decision-makers this is what happened (in your country) for the last 100 years," Dr. Joa
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| Contact: Rodolfo Quevenco r.quevenco@iaea.org 43-126-002-1287 International Atomic Energy Agency Source:Eurekalert |