APPLYING INSTRUMENTAL NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS (INAA) TO THE STUDY OF TOXIC TRACE ELEMENTS IN COTTON SEEDS

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: EVANS-ALLEN
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1009612
• Project Start Date: May 16, 2016
• Project End Date: May 15, 2020
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
ORANGEBURG,SC 29117

Performing Department
Engineering Technologies

Non Technical Summary
Cotton has been an important cash crop in the Palmetto State since revolutionary times to the current day. Its seeds are about 15% of the value of the crop and used widely in making oil and feeding animals. Throughout the growing season, cotton assimilates numerous trace elements from the soil, including the toxic ones. Some of these trace elements are accumulated or enriched in cotton seeds. Therefore, cotton seeds can serve as an indicator of heavy metal contamination of local soil. South Carolina, like other states, is subject to the environmental impact of human behaviors. Dozens of heavily-polluted superfund sites are scattered in the state, and most of them are on the National Priority List (NPL) of EPA. Some NPL sites are close to local cotton plantations. It is conceivable that cotton may be under a contamination impact of these sites through ground water movement or other migration paths.We propose to study the cotton seeds and corresponding local soil with a radioanalytical method--Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). INAA has been a versatile tool in multi-element analysis for more than half a century, but it was seldom applied to studying agricultural products especially cash crops. After irradiation of the samples with nuclear reactors, qualitative and quantitative information of the elements can be obtained from the decay spectra recorded by gamma ray spectrometers. By analyzing cotton seeds and the corresponding local soil with INAA, it is possible to determine the level of elements with high accuracy and extreme sensitivity, as well as establish a relationship between the amount of toxic trace elements in the cotton seeds and the level of heavy metal contamination in the local soil.This study is the initial stage of a long-term project. It will concentrate on the Midlands and Low Country of South Carolina, particularly in Aiken, Charleston, and Lexington Counties. The cotton plantations near the NPL sites will be given special attention. Hundreds of cotton seed samples will be collected from local gins, and their corresponding local soil will be gathered, as well. All samples will be irradiated by thermal neutrons from PULSTAR reactor. Both short-lived isotopes and long-lived isotope spectra will be measured after irradiation. Our initial focus will be on concentrations of heavy metals, such as Cd, Zn, Hg, As, etc. In order to deal with the extensive data of nuclear spectra, an online spectra analysis program will be designed and implemented. Neutron flux of the PULSTAR reactor will be simulated with both GEANT4 and MCNPX to mimic the real situation in thermal neutron irradiation.This study will support the mission of the natural resource management program in 1890 Research and train highly- skilled, competent, and well-prepared students in the fields of Nuclear Engineering and Radiochemistry. The immediate outcome of the project is a detailed survey map of toxic elements level in cotton seeds and local soil in South Carolina (initially in the Midlands and Low Country), which will give the public a better understanding of the environmental impact of human activities on traditional cash crops and food industry. Pertinent information from the research will be disseminated to local farmers through 1890 Extension, particularly to those classified as small-limited, resource farmers. This project will make a contribution to enhance the cotton productivity, environmental quality of plantations, food quality and safety, and to improve the economic vitality of rural communities in South Carolina.South Carolina State University (SCSU) is an 1890 land-grant, senior comprehensive institution. This project is conducted by its Nuclear Engineering Program, the only ABET accredited undergraduate Nuclear Engineering program in South Carolina and at an HBCU.

Animal Health Component

0%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

100%

Applied

0%

Developmental

0%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
133	1810	2000	100%

Knowledge Area
133 - Pollution Prevention and Mitigation;

Subject Of Investigation
1810 - Cottonseed;

Field Of Science
2000 - Chemistry;

Keywords

cotton seeds

soil

instrumental neutron activation analysis (inaa)

toxic trace elements

heavy metal contamination

Goals / Objectives
The immediate goal of the project is to study the environmental impact of superfund sites on the local cotton plantations. We will determine the levels of toxic elements in both cotton seeds and corresponding local soil samples. The direct outcome of this effort is a detailed survey map of the levels of toxic elements in both cotton seeds and local soil in South Carolina (initially in the Midlands and Low Country, particularly Aiken, Charleston, and Lexington Counties).The project will secure the work force at SCSU and train highly-skilled, competent, and well-prepared students in the fields of Nuclear Engineering and Radiochemistry. After this project, the Applied Radiation Sciences Laboratory (ARSL) is expected to be a principal investigating conduit in South Carolina for research and development in nuclear applications, such as nuclear activation analysis, radiochemistry, and nuclear energy innovations. Three undergraduate students (in Biology, Radiochemistry and Nuclear Engineering majors) will be extensively involved in the project. In the project, they are expected to (1) learn skills in sample collection and preparation; (2) know how to conduct gamma ray spectroscopy and INAA data analysis; and (3) get familiar with Monto Carlo simulation techniques in Nuclear Engineering.The project will give the public a better understanding of the environmental impact of human activities on traditional cash crops and food industry. Researchers will publish several papers in top journals and report the results at relevant conferences. Pertinent information from the research will be disseminated to local farmers through 1890 Extension, particularly to those small, limited resource farmers in rural communities of South Carolina.

Project Methods
Efforts:1. Sample collection and preparation, pilot studiesCottonseed samples will be collected through the cotton gins around South Carolina with the assistance of both the Cotton Board of South Carolina and the 1890 Extension staff. The mass of each cottonseed sample is around 100 grams. Local soil samples will be collected with soil probes and soil samplers/augers at the depth around 10cm below the surface. The mass of each soil sample is around 500 gram. All samples are then dried in an oven overnight (soil samples at 100oC and cotton seed samples at 60oC). All the collecting locations will be recorded and pinpointed on Google maps. Local soil samples are collected from the cotton farms and superfund (NPL) sites. At the initial stage, the research focuses on the Midlands and Low Country of South Carolina, particularly in the Aiken, Charleston, and Lexington Counties' 10 targeted superfund sites). In order to differentiate the contamination from the NPL sites that has caused on-farm practice (fertilizers, pesticides, etc.), extra soil samples will be collected, according to the relative distance from the NPL site to the cotton plantations, such as 1 km, 5 km, 10 km, etc. Samples collected from farms far away from the superfund sites can be used as control group samples to show the variance in toxic buildup. Meanwhile, the control group of soil samples without on-farm practice (no fertilizers and pesticides) will be collected, as well. Both of the seeds and soil samples are then crushed, ground, and homogenized with the use of puck and ring mill. All of the ground samples are sieved with 120 micron nylon cloth to obtain uniform particle size in different samples.Seeds from various farms might be mixed and thus lose their identity in the local gins. To avoid this situation, with the assistance of local gin workers and the 1890 Extension staff, students who participate in the project will be sent to local gins to identify the local farms of cotton seeds before the seeds are mixed together while processing. Some cotton seed samples will be collected directly from local farms with the timeframe coinciding with cotton harvesting season. Pilot studies and preliminary data gathering will be conducted at Savannah River Site and/or the Palmetto Recycling Site in Richland County. Cotton seeds and soil samples collected from the plantations nearby will be analyzed for the purpose of testing the hypothesis of the project and optimizing the irradiation conditions for Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA).2. Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA)The procedure of INAA is straightforward: From the spectra of delayed gamma rays, we acquire their energy lines and intensity, which corresponds to certain product nuclides. From the information on the products nuclides, we can trace back to quantity and species of the target nuclides, according to the corresponding nuclear reaction channels. The sample with unknown amount of elements is irradiated together with a calibration material (calibrator), containing a known amount of the element(s) of interest. The calibrator is measured under the same conditions as those of the sample (sample-to-detector distance, equivalent sample size, etc.) to make sure they receive the same kind of neutron flux. By comparing the net peak areas in the two measured spectra, the mass of the element of interest can be calculated. With this relative procedure, many of the experimental parameters, such as neutron flux rate, effective cross section and detector efficiency at certain energy peak, are all cancelled out in the calculations.The whole spectrometer system should be well calibrated before use. Three point sources (Co-60, Ba-133 and Cs-137) are stacked together to calibrate the detector since the characteristic energy lines of those sources span a very large energy region for INAA. Usually, for short-lived isotopes, the cooling time is about one day at which time the total induced radioactivity is below radiation safety requirements for handling. For long-lived isotopes, it is better to measure them after one week because the background radiation will be significantly reduced at that time. Shot-lived isotopes will be measured at the NCSU gamma ray detection laboratory (next to PULSTAR reactor). Long-lived isotopes will be measured in the Applied Radiation Sciences laboratory at SCSU.3. Computer Simulation of Nuclear Processes and Online Spectra Analysis Software:We will simulate the neutron irradiation of sample with both a GEANT 4 package from CERN and MCNPX from LANL. The simulation results will be compared and adjusted with the real activation situation. The long-term plan is to mimic the activation field in the PULSTAR reactor with Monte Carlo simulation packages and expand the use of quasi-absolute measurement in nuclear activation.Neutron activation analysis requires extensive data analysis which, however, is susceptible to error. For the purpose of saving time, reducing manpower, and minimizing error, an online computer program--Nuclear Activation Analysis System (NAAS) --will be designed, built, and implemented by using SQL and asp.net technology to automate this process. Based on the peak information of the spectrum and the support of its library, the program automatically identifies elements in the samples and calculates their concentrations and respective uncertainties. The program is particularly user-friendly for those colleagues (e.g. archaeologists, biologists, environmentalist, geologists, etc.) who are interested in activation analysis but not knowledgeable about the underneath details of the nuclear (atomic) reactions, as well as the corresponding activation calculations.Evaluation:1. The PI must conduct a complete literature review on the research topic, including the calculation of INAA and online software development.2. Sample collections and preparations must include all of the NPL sites and cotton plantations proposed. Cottonseed collection needs to consider the harvesting season and targeting local gins, as well as work closely with 1890 personnel, students, and the SC Cotton Board. All soil samples must be collected at the correct depth, suitable masses, and proper location. All of the information of samples must be well documented. Finally, all samples must be crushed and ground to fine powders and filtered at the correct size.3. Spectrometers must be calibrated with stacked sources for measurement. Proper reference materials need to be identified before irradiation. Also, initial tests of irradiation should be completed to discover optimized parameters for irradiation. All of the spectra data must be collected with the same format. Log files of spectra have to be well documented.4. The computer simulation of irradiation should be conducted with both software packages and reach the same results. The PAA or ICP-MS might be conducted to verify the consistency of INAA. The web-based spectra program will be tested by traditional historical data with different operation system. It must reach the same (if not better) result. The friendliness of the GUI will be tested, and feedback will be received from laymen.5. All publications will be peer reviewed. Comments from conferences and reviewers need to be properly addressed.

Progress 05/16/16 to 05/15/20

Outputs
Target Audience: Researchers who attended conferences in nuclear chemistry, nuclear physics, agriculture, etc, such as ARD, PAWC, CAARI, MARC, etc. The people in 1890 research and extension; Local cotton farmers and South Carolina Cotton Board. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? All the students were trained on INAA theories and gamma-ray spectroscopy. They were working on spectra collection and analysis both at NCSU and SCSU; Students were trained at NCSU/SCSU on radiation safety and get licenses as a certified radiation workers. Dr. Sun gave talks at several universities and trained graduate students on nuclear activation analysis and radiochemistry. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? 5 peer-reviewed articles published, 3 related papers are under review. 21 presentations were given at ARD, PAWC, CAARI, MARC, conferences. 3 stduent awards (including oral and poster sessions) Dr. Sun gave several invited talks on Nuclear Activation Analysis in nearby universities. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 1. In the last four years, 4 groups of samples were irradiated by the PULSTAR nuclear reactor at NCSU. Samples include whole cotton plants, cotton seeds, water, and local soils. PN and medium-lived isotope spectra were collected at NCSU. All the spectra of short-lived isotopes, medium-lived isotopes were analyzed at SCSU; 2. Trained 16 students with INAA theories and radiation safety at SCSU and NCSU; 3. A new web-base3d computer program for instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was implemented and polished at http://naas.scsu.edu. Websites of the Radiation Data Mininng Laboratory (http://tdminer.scsu.edu) and Applied Radiatoin Science Laboratory (http://arsl.scsu.edu) are established. 4. A novel activity equation for pulse irradiation was derived mathematically with the assistance of geometry series, and then it was confirmed numerically by MATLAB codes, and finally validated experimentally by photon activation conducted via a short-pulsed LINAC. 5. Research confirmed that INAA is an appropriate and valuable tool for conducting multi-element analysis in agricultural products, especially for cash crops. It can determine the level of elements in soil and cotton seeds with high accuracy and extreme sensitivity. 6. The trace amount of toxic elements (As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb, etc.) were seen in cotton seeds and corresponding local soil samples. Their concentrations are highly correlated, which proves that the movement of toxic elements from local soil to the cotton plant. However, there is no clear evidence to show these elements are from fertilizer or pesticides. 7. Several articles was published and conference talks were given with this project and related research. 8. We collaborated with Dr. Florence Anoruo of the Savannah Nuclear Field Station on nuclear site remediation. We collaborated with Dr. Long in Chemistry Department on organic food identification. We collaborated with Dr. Frank Martin in I.P. Stanback Musuem on western-Africa sculpture studies.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: 7. Sun, Z. J., Isa, N., et al., Determining Toxic Elements in Cotton Seeds with Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). 11th International Conference on Methods and Applications of Radioanalytical Chemistry, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, April 8-13, 2018.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: 8. Sun, Z.J., Cai, Q. An Online Spectra Analysis System for Instrumental Nuclear Activation Analysis, 11th International Conference on Methods and Applications of Radioanalytical Chemistry, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, April 8-13, 2018.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: 9. Jordan, Karthiga, Isa, N. et al. Studying Trace Elements in Cotton Seeds with Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), STEM Day event, South Carolina State University, April 15th, 2018.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: 10. Sun, Z.J., A Novel Equation for Activity Calculation in Pulse Irradiation, Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry: 25th International Conference, Grapevine, TX, August 12-17, 2018.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: 11. Sun, Z.J., Isa, N., et al. Determining Trace Elements in Cotton Seeds with Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry: 25th International Conference, Grapevine, TX, August 1217, 2018.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: 12. M. Mamtimin, T. Forest, V. Starovoitova, Z.J. Sun, Determining the Elemental Concentrations of Hetian Jade with Nuclear Activation Analysis. Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry: 25th International Conference, Grapevine, TX, August 1217, 2018.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: 13. E. Nwosu, et.al. Applying Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) on the Study of Trace Elements in Cotton Seeds, 76th Annual PAWC conference, Tuskegee, AL, December 3-5, 2018 (won the first price in poster session).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: 14. Zaijing Sun, Optimizing the Quasi Absolute Method (QAM) in Photon Activation Analysis (PAA). Presentation at the 2019 ARD Research Symposium, Jacksonville, FL. March 30 - April 3, 2019.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: 15. Manhart, et al., Determining Concentrations of Trace Elements in Cotton Seeds by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). 2019 ARD Research Symposium, Jacksonville, FL. March 30 - April 3, 2019.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: 16. Z. J. Sun and J. Johnson et al., Standardizing Activation Analysis: New Online Program for Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis. 2019 ARD Research Symposium, Jacksonville, FL. March 30 - April 3, 2019.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: 17. N. Isa, et al., A Preliminary Provenance Study of Nok Sculptures in I. P. Stanback Museum with Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). 2019 ARD Research Symposium, Jacksonville, FL. March 30 April 3, 2019 (won the first price in oral session).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: 18. Z. J. Sun, G. Nelson, E. Nwosu, et.al., Spanish Moss as a Bio-indicator for Air Pollution in the Low Country of Savannah River Basin. 2019 ARD Research Symposium, Jacksonville, FL. March 30 - April 3, 2019.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: 19. Amelia Manhart, et.al., Determining concentrations of toxic elements in cotton seeds by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), Proceedings at the 77th PAWC conference held at Tuskegee University on December 6, 2019.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: 20. Austin, Harglerode, et.al., Spanish Moss as a bio-indicator of air pollution in the low country of the savannah river basin. Proceedings at the 77th PAWC conference held at Tuskegee University on December 6, 2019.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: 21. Joshua Johnson et.al., A web application for peak analysis and concentration calculations in neutron activation analysis. Proceedings at the 77th PAWC conference held at Tuskegee University on December 6, 2019.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: 22. Nafisat (poster): A provenance study of Nok sculptures in I.P. Stanback Museum with instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Proceedings at the 77th PAWC conference held at Tuskegee University on December 6, 2019.
• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2020 Citation: 1.Zaijing Sun. Applying Nuclear Activation Analysis (NAA) on Agriculture Products and Environmental Monitoring. Colloquium, Department of Nuclear Engineering, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, March 4th, 2020.
• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2019 Citation: 2.Zaijing Sun. Nuclear Activation Analysis: Theory and Applications. Nuclear Seminar Series, College of Nuclear Equipment and Nuclear Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai, China, August 30, 2019.
• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2019 Citation: 3.Zaijing Sun. Nuclear Activation Analysis and Its Applications in Agricultural and Archeological Sciences. Seminar Series in Frontier of Archaeometry, Department for the History of Science and Scientific Archaeology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China, August 28, 2019.
• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2019 Citation: 4.Zaijing Sun. Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) and Its Applications at the SC State University. Radiation Science and Engineering Center, Pennsylvania State University, State College, July 29, 2019.
• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2019 Citation: 5.Zaijing Sun. Nuclear Activation Analysis and Its Applications. Physics & Astronomy Seminar, Department of Physics, The Citadel, Charleston, SC, Feb 22, 2019.
• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2019 Citation: 6.Zaijing Sun. Nuclear Activation Analysis  A Versatile Nuclear Assay. Physics & Astronomy Colloquium, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Louisiana State University, Feb 11, 2019.
• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: 7.Zaijing Sun. A Novel Equation for Activity Calculation in Pulse Irradiation. Nuclear Based Analysis Session, Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry: 25th International Conference, Grapevine, TX, August 14, 2018.
• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: 8.Zaijing Sun. Instrumental Nuclear Activation Analysis (INAA) and Its Applications. Nuclear Engineering Seminar Series, Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of New Mexico, March 20, 2018.
• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: 9.Zaijing Sun. Nuclear Activation Analysis and Its Applications in Provenance Study. CAIS Seminar Series, Center for Applied Isotope Studies, University of Georgia, February 7, 2018.
• Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: 1. Nuclear Activation Analysis System (NAAS), http://naas.scsu.edu
• Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: 2. Applied Radiation Science Laboratory, http://arsl.scsu.edu
• Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: 3. Radiation Data Mining Laboratory, http://tdminer.scsu.edu
• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2017 Citation: 10.Zaijing Sun. Research of Instrumental Nuclear Activation Analysis (INAA) at the South Carolina State University. Physics Seminar, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Francis Marion University, November 21, 2017.
• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2017 Citation: 11.Zaijing Sun. Nuclear Activation Analyses (NAA & PAA) and Their Applications. Nuclear Engineering Seminar, Center for Nuclear Studies, Kennesaw State University, October 24, 2017.
• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2017 Citation: 12.Zaijing Sun. Applying Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) on the Study of Nok Sculptures in I. P. Stanback Museum. ANS-Columbia Seminar Series, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of South Carolina & American Nuclear Society Columbia South Carolina Section, March 16, 2017.
• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2017 Citation: 13.Zaijing Sun. Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) and the Provenance Study of Nok Sculptures. Physics Seminar Series, Department of Physics and Applied Physics, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA, March 3, 2017.
• Type: Book Chapters Status: Accepted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Zaijing Sun, Elsevier S&T Books, Nuclear Power Plant Design and Analysis Codes Development, Validation, and Application, Chapter 23, Temporal Data Mining (TDM) in Nuclear Site Monitoring and Decommissioning
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: 1. Z.J. Sun, K. Okafor, and S. Isa, "Determination of Elemental Concentrations with Different Reaction Channels in Photon Activation." Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 127:173-178, 2017, doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2017.06.012.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: 2. Z.J. Sun, F. Martin, Q.S. Cai and S. Lassell, "Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) of Nok Sculptures in I. P. Stanback Museum." Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 313:85-92, 2017, doi:10.1007/s10967-017-5297-8.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: 3. Z.J. Sun, M. Danjiaji and Y. Kim, N Values Estimation Based on Photon Flux Simulation with Geant4 Toolkit. Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 136:127-132, 2018, doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2018.02.017.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: 4. Z.J. Sun, A New Equation for Activity Calculation in Pulse Irradiation: Derivation, Simulation, and Experimental Validation. Nuclear Sciences and Techniques, 29:155, 2018, doi:10.1007/s41365-018-0492-z.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2019 Citation: 2. Z.J. Sun, Y. Kim and Q.S. Cai, A Web Application for Peak Identification and Concentration Calculations in Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA). Radiation Detection Technology and Methods.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: 5. Borgwardt, T., Wells, D., Pagnac, D., Sun, Z., Segebade C., A Test of a Non-Consumptive Nuclear Forensics Technique Using Photon Activation Analysis of Fossils and Source Matrices. Journal of Paleontological Techniques 2018.19:1-14.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2019 Citation: 1. Z.J. Sun, R. Gentile, J. Harglerode, A. Manhardt, J. Johnson, N. Isa, Q.S. Cai, and S. Lassell, Determining the Concentrations of Toxic Elements in Cotton Seeds by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2019 Citation: 3. Z.J. Sun, R. Gentile, A. Manhardt Adjusting Quasi Absolute Method (QAM) in Photon Activation Analysis (PAA). Applied Radiation and Isotopes.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: 1. Z.J. Sun: A Web-based Spectrum Analysis System for Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) ARD 2017, Atlanta, GA, April 1-4, 2017.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: 2. N. Isa: Determining Concentrations of Toxic Elements in Cotton Seeds by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), ARD 2017, Atlanta, GA, April 1-4, 2017.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: 3. Z.J. Sun: NAAS: An Online Tool for Nuclear Activation Analysis, AccApp 2017, Quebec City, Canada, July 31-August 4th, 2017.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: 4. Z.J. Sun, N. Isa, Q.S. Cai, and S. Lassell, A pilot study of toxic elements in cotton seeds with instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). 10th International Conference on Agriculture and Horticulture, London, UK, October, 2017.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: 5. E. Nwosu: Applying Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) on the Study of Heavy Metal Elements in Cotton Seeds, 75th Annual PAWC conference, Tuskegee, AL, December 3-5, 2017 (won the first price in oral session)
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: 6. N. Isa, et.al., A Pilot Study of Trace Elements in Cotton Seeds with Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), 75th Annual PAWC conference, Tuskegee, AL, December 3-5, 2017.

Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience: Researchers who attended CAARI and MARC conference; 1890 Extension people; Local cotton farmers; Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Student were trained on INAA theories and gamma spectroscopy, Students were trained at NCSU on radiation safety and get a license as a certified radworker. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? 2 presentations at CAARI 2018, 2 presentations at MARC XI 2018, 2 papers were published, 2 paper is under review. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1. Spectra analysis of previous experiments, especially of the samples in Summer 2018. 2. Conduct more neutron irradiation at NCSU during summer break (2 visits); 3. Implement and polish online Neutron Activation Analysis System; 4. Publish 2 articles under review, attend 2 conferences (ARD 2019 and Annual Meeting of Health Physics Study), give 7 presentations (5 for ARD 2019, 2 others)

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 1. Collected cotton seeds and whole cotton plant samples in Orangeburg, Richland, Lexington, Aiken, Sumter, and Dorchester Counties; Historical cotton seeds were collected at the cotton museum in Sumter. 2. A new group of samples were irradiated by Pulstar nuclear reactor at NCSU. PN and medium-lived isotope spectra were collected at NCSU. All the spectra of short-lived isotopes, medium-lived isotopes were measured; 3. Trained a new group of students with INAA theories and radiation safety; 4. A new software for instrumental neutron activation analysis was designed and implemented at http://naas.scsu.edu.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: 1. Z.J. Sun, M. Danjiaji and Y. Kim, N Values Estimation Based on Photon Flux Simulation with Geant4 Toolkit. Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 136:127-132, 2018, doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2018.02.017.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: 2. Z.J. Sun, A New Equation for Activity Calculation in Pulse Irradiation: Derivation, Simulation, and Experimental Validation. Nuclear Sciences and Techniques, 29:155, 2018, doi:10.1007/s41365-018-0492-z.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: 3. Sun, Z. J., Isa, N., et al. Determining Toxic Elements in Cotton Seeds with Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). 11th International Conference on Methods and Applications of Radioanalytical Chemistry, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, April 8-13, 2018.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: 10. Zaijing Sun*, Nuclear Engineering Program, South Carolina State University, 300 College Street NE, Orangeburg SC 29117.Optimizing the Quasi Absolute Method (QAM) in Photon Activation Analysis (PAA). Presentation at the 2019 ARD Research Symposium, Jacksonville, FL. March 30 - April 3, 2019.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: 11. A. Manhart*, E. Nwosu, K. Jordan, N. Isa, and Z. J. Sun, Nuclear Engineering Program, South Carolina State University, 300 College Street NE, Orangeburg SC 29117; and Q. S. Cai, and S. Lassell, Nuclear Reactor Program, North Carolina State University, 2500 Stinson Drive, Raleigh NC 27695.Determining Concentrations of Trace Elements in Cotton Seeds by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). Presentation at the 2019 ARD Research Symposium, Jacksonville, FL. March 30 - April 3, 2019.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: 12. Z. J. Sun and J. Johnson* Nuclear Engineering Program, South Carolina State University, 300 College Street NE, Orangeburg SC 29117; and Q. S. Cai, Nuclear Reactor Program, North Carolina State University, 2500 Stinson Drive, Raleigh NC 27695.Standardizing Activation Analysis: New Online Program for Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis. Presentation at the 2019 ARD Research Symposium, Jacksonville, FL. March 30 - April 3, 2019.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: 13. Z. J. Sun, N. Isa*, and J. Johnson, Applied Radiation Sciences Laboratory, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC 29117; and F. Martin, I. P. Stanback Museum and Planetarium, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC 29117.A Preliminary Provenance Study of Nok Sculptures in I. P. Stanback Museum with Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). Presentation at the 2019 ARD Research Symposium, Jacksonville, FL. March 30 - April 3, 2019.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: 4. Sun, Z.J., Cai, Q. An Online Spectra Analysis System for Instrumental Nuclear Activation Analysis, 11th International Conference on Methods and Applications of Radioanalytical Chemistry, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, April 8-13, 2018.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: 5. Sun, Z.J., A Novel Equation for Activity Calculation in Pulse Irradiation, Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry: 25th International Conference, Grapevine, TX, August 12-17, 2018.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: 6. Sun, Z.J., Isa, N., et al. Determining Trace Elements in Cotton Seeds with Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry: 25th International Conference, Grapevine, TX, August 12-17, 2018.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: 7. Jordan, Karthiga, Isa, N. et al. Studying Trace Elements in Cotton Seeds with Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), STEM Day event, South Carolina State University, April 15th, 2018
• Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: 8. Sun, Z.J., Instrumental Nuclear Activation Analysis (INAA) and Its Applications. Nuclear Engineering Seminar Series, Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of New Mexico, March 20th, 2018.
• Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2018 Citation: 9. Sun, Z.J., Nuclear Activation Analysis and Its Applications in Provenance Study. CAIS Seminar Series, Center for Applied Isotope Studies, University of Georgia, February 7th, 2018.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: 14. Z. J. Sun, G. Nelson, E. Nwosu* and N. Isa, Nuclear Engineering Program, South Carolina State University, 300 College Street NE, Orangeburg SC 29117; and Q. S. Cai and S. Lassell, Nuclear Reactor Program, North Carolina State University, 2500 Stinson Drive, Raleigh NC 27695.Spanish Moss as a Bio-indicator for Air Pollution in the Low Country of Savannah River Basin. Presentation at the 2019 ARD Research Symposium, Jacksonville, FL. March 30 - April 3, 2019.

Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience: Researchers who attended CAARI conference; 1890 extension people; Local cotton farmers; Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Student were trained on INAA theories and gammary spectroscopy, Students were trained at NCSU on radiation safety and get a licence as a certified radworker. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?2 presentations at ARD 2017, 2 presentations at 75th PAWC, 1 presentation at AccApp 2017. 2 papers were published, 1 paper is under review. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1. Spectra analysis of previous experiments; 2. Conduct more neutron irradiation at NCSU during spring semester and summer break; 3. Implement and polish Neutron Activation Analysis System; 4. Publish 3 articles, attend 2 conferences (MARC 2018 and Annual Meeting of Health Physics Study)

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 1. Collected cotton seeds and whole cotton plant samples in Orangeburg County; 2. Neutron irradiation of samples are conducted at NCSU. PN and medium-lived isotope spectra are collected at NCSU. All the spectra of short-lived isotopes, medium-lived isotopes were measured; 3. Trained students for INAA theories and radiation safety; 4. Sub-award paperwork has been executed on both sides. 5. The new High Purity Germanian detector was setup at at Applied Radiation Science Laboratory.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Z.J. Sun: A Web-based Spectrum Analysis System for Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) ARD 2017, Atlanta, GA, April 1-4, 2017.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: N. Isa: Determining Concentrations of Toxic Elements in Cotton Seeds by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), ARD 2017, Atlanta, GA, April 1-4, 2017.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Z.J. Sun: NAAS: An Online Tool for Nuclear Activation Analysis, AccApp 2017, Quebec City, Canada, July 31-August 4th, 2017.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: E. Nwosu: Applying Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) on the Study of Heavy Metal Elements in Cotton Seeds, 75th Annual PAWC conference, Tuskegee, AL, December 3-5, 2017 (won the first price)
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: N. Isa: A Pilot Study of Trace Elements in Cotton Seeds with Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), 75th Annual PAWC conference, Tuskegee, AL, December 3-5, 2017
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Z.J. Sun, K. Okafor, and S. Isa, "Determination of Elemental Concentrations with Different Reaction Channels in Photon Activation." Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 127:173-178, 2017, doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2017.06.012.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Z.J. Sun, F. Martin, Q.S. Cai and S. Lassell, "Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) of Nok Sculptures in I. P. Stanback Museum." Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 313:85-92, 2017, doi:10.1007/s10967-017-5297-8.
• Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Z.J. Sun:Research on Instrumental Nuclear Activation Analysis (INAA) at the South Carolina State University. Physics Seminar, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Francis Marion University, November 21st, 2017.
• Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Z.J. Sun:Nuclear Activation Analysis (NAA) and Its Applications. Nuclear Engineering Seminar, Center for Nuclear Studies, Kennesaw State University, October 24th, 2017.

Progress 05/16/16 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience:Researchers who attended the CAARI conference; conference attendees; 1890 extension agents; and local cotton farmers. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Trained students for INAA theories Field trip along the Savanah River. Students were trained for sample collecting and preparation Student presented at the 74th Annual Professional Agricultural Workers Conference How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated via presentations at professional conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1. Study the whole plant with INAA to see the distribution of toxic elements in the cotton plants 2. Study the samples collected in the Savanah River field trip 3. Implement and polish NAAS system

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 1. Collected cotton seeds and whole cotton plant samples in Orangeburg County 2. Field Trip along the Savanah River 3. Conducted pilot study at NCSU 4. Trained students for INAA theories 5. Established a website for NAAS

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: 1. Sun, Z. (2016). Determining Concentrations of Elements with Different Reaction Channels in Photon Activation, CAARI 2016.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: 2. Sun, Z. (2016). A Preliminary Study of Toxic Elements in Cotton Seeds with Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis, CAARI 2016.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: 3. Sun, Z. (2016). A Preliminary Study of Nok Sculptures in I. P. Stanback Museum with Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis, CAARI 2016.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: 4. Nwosu, E. (2016). Applying Nuclear Activation Analysis to the Study of Toxic Trace Elements in Cotton Seeds.74th Annual Professional Agricultural Workers Conference, Tuskegee University, December 4, 2016. This student won 1st place in oral presentation.
• Type: Websites Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Established a website (http://naas.scsu.edu ) for online nuclear activation analysis system (NAAS).