Radiological signatures in Antarctica: development and validation of analytical methodologies

Hosted by the IRESNE Institute at the CEA-Cadarache center, the PhD student will contribute to the analytical development of the Laboratoire d’Analyses Radiochimiques et Chimiques (LARC), which has provided expert analytical support for over 60 years in the fields of nuclear reactors, fuel cycle, waste management, and decommissioning. The main objective of the project is to develop and optimize analytical methods for detecting radiological markers through collaborations with internal (LANIE, LEXAN) and external (CSIC, CIEMAT) partners. The analyses will focus on 137Cs and 210Pb using gamma spectrometry, uranium and plutonium isotopes using MC-ICPMS, and overall alpha/beta activity using liquid scintillation. In a second phase, these methods will be applied to a variety of samples, including those collected in Antarctica as part of the GEOCHEM project [1], in order to investigate the spatial distribution and origin of these radiological markers [2].

By the end of this multidisciplinary PhD project, the student will have gained solid experience in measuring gamma, alpha, and beta radiation. Additionally, interpreting the analytical results in connection with environmental parameters will develop critical thinking skills and foster scientific curiosity.

[1] Maestro, A. et al. Fracturation pattern and morphostructure of the Deception Island volcano, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. Antarct. Sci. 37, 176–200 (2025).

[2] Xu-Yang, Y. et al. Radioactive contamination transported to Western Europe with Saharan dust. Sci. Adv. 11, eadr9192 (2025).