THE GEOSCIENCES ADVISORY UNIT

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The Geosciences Advisory Unit is a scientific consultancy that operates in the School of Ocean and Earth Science at the University of Southampton. The unit was set up in 1988, and since then has generated over £3 million in research contracts. The Unit specialises in the assessment of radioactive and trace metal contaminants in the workplace and in the environment. Measurement quality is regularly assessed through participation in national/international intercomparison exercises and publication of methodologies and data in international peer-reviewed journals. In 1995 the Unit moved from its original base at the Highfield campus at the University of Southampton into new laboratories at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton (The Dockside Campus of the University of Southampton).

NOC from the wharf

The National Oceanography Centre, Southampton (above) was formed through a partnership between the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the University of Southampton (UoS). The centre includes the School of Ocean and Earth Science (UoS), and five NERC research divisions.

ROLE OF THE GEOSCIENCES ADVISORY UNIT WITHIN THE SERMG

  • Technical advice to SERMG Steering Group
  • Technical advice to Local Authorities
  • Membership of Steering Group
  • Group Sampling Programme & Collection
  • Sampling methodologies
  • Final sample preparation
  • Cataloguing of samples
  • Gamma spectrometry
  • Alpha spectrometry
  • ARGUS continuous gamma data/graph compilation
  • Report production
  • Annual seminar organisation
  • Submission of SERMG data to RIMNET
  • Troubleshooting on local radiological issues, eg Ditton Park & Greenham Common Surveys etc.
  • Emergency arrangements
  • Quality Assurance

EXAMPLES OF OTHER GEOSCIENCES ADVISORY UNIT ACTIVITIES

The GAU provides analytical (decommissioning work) and consultancy services for Government Agencies such as the Food Standards Agency, and the nuclear and related industries (eg AWE Aldermaston, UKAEA, AEA Winfrith, AEA Harwell, EMI and others).

 

GEOSCIENCES ADVISORY UNIT SERVICES