Sampling is an often neglected part of radioecological assessments, yet it is usually the main source of uncertainty. The seminar will focus on various aspects of sampling, both in traditional radioecology (terrestrial, aquatic) but also including new challenges in emergency response situations. This can be related to the more general question, how well can we through our measurements assess the quantities and parameters we want to assess and are they the right parameters?

Invited speakers include (apart from Nordic specialists in radioecology and related fields):

• Marian Scott (professor, University of Glasgow): Environmental sampling-statistical principles and practice
• Gabriele Voigt (Head, IAEA laboratories, Seibersdorf): The ALMERA soil sampling intercomparison exercise
• Brenda J Howard (Head of Site, CEH Lancaster): Recent work in the UK on Best Practice Techniques for Environmental Monitoring
• Phil J Tattersall (Head, Operational Protection Department, HPA): The UK Health Protection Agency’s response to the polonium-210 incident in London 2006
• Björgvin Sigurðsson (Reykjavik Metropolitan Police, Technical Division): Working and sampling on a possible crime scene

(titles are indicative, they might change)

Contact person: Sigurður Emil Pálsson, programme manager, NKS-B. Icelandic Radiation Protection Institute, e-mail: sep@gr.is.

Proposals for presentations - Deadline 19 December

Suggestions for presentations within in the scope of the seminar are welcome. They should be sent to the co-ordinator, sep@gr.is, no later than 19 December.

Registration - Deadline 19 December

Registrations for participation in the seminar should be sent by e-mail to gr@gr.is (there is no registration fee), preferably no later than 19 December. We will try to accept later registrations, but our planning will be based on the registrations received by 19 December. When registrering, please give the following information:

1. Name
2. e-mail address
3. Whether you want to take part in the seminar dinner Thursday evening (January 24th).
4. Whether you have any special requests (e.g. due to allergy to certain food stuffs)

Proceedings

Abstracts and presentations from the seminar will be published by the NKS.

Refunding of travel expenses

Those giving a presentation at the seminar and submitting an extended abstract for the proceedings can have their travel expenses refunded. This needs to be negotiated beforehand with the NKS programme manager, Sigurður Emil Pálsson (sep@gr.is).

Venue

The seminar will be held at a small theatre in the centre of Reykjavik (built in the end of the 19th century, but recently renovated). The main hall has now a flexible seating arrangement and it has a restaurant on the second floor (where lunches will be served).

The theatre is right in the centre of Reykjavik, by the lake. If you have Google Earth installed you can click on this kmz file and you will be shown where it is. Here is also a photograph of the exterior of the building and the restaurant. Here is also a link to its web site.

More information

Information can also be obtained from the others preparing the seminar:

1. Sven P. Nielsen (Risø National Laboratory / DTU), e-mail: sven.nielsen@risoe.dk
2. Tarja K. Ikäheimonen (STUK), e-mail: Tarja.Ikaheimonen@stuk.fi

Information about the previous NKS-B seminar in Oslo, August 2007 can be found at: https://www.gr.is/nks-b/seminar-2007-oslo/

Accomodation

Special seminar rate at Hotel Reykjavík Centrum, 9400 ISK per night (ca. € 100, exchange rate 28 Nov: 1 € ~ 93 ISK), for a room with breakfast (this hotel is very close to the Iðnó theatre). Participants should contact the hotel directly, e-mail: oli@hotelcentrum.is, quote the booking number 2026707 and give date of arrival and date of departure. This special rate is valid until 19 December and while rooms are available.

Local arrangements for the seminar are made by the Icelandic Radiation Protection Institute (Geislavarnir ríkisins).

NKS Secretariat

Box 49

DK - 4000 Roskilde

Phone +45 4677 4045

Fax +45 4677 4046

In Nordic