Robert Litman

  • Adjunct Faculty, Physics

Education

Ph.D. Analytical Chemistry, City University of New York
B.S. Chemistry, Brooklyn College

Research Interests

Rapid radiochemical separations and analyses following a Radiological Event

Analysis of NORM/TENORM in fracking liquids and solids

Characterization of radioactive wastes

Anomalies in reactor coolant chemistry

Radioactive effluent analysis from nuclear power plants

Laboratory preparations for radiological events

Awards

Radiobioassay and Radiochemical Measurements Conference (RRMC) Founders Award (2012)

Radiological Effluents and Environmental Workshop Jason Jang Award (2016)

North Atlantic (Seabrook Station) Values for Excellence Award (1996)

National Analytical Management Program Training and Education Subcommittee Webinar Presentations (2017-2019)

ASTM Standards Development Award for D7727 and D5411 (2013) 

EPRI Technology Transfer Award (2002)

New Hampshire Soccer Association Referee of the Year (1998)

Publications

  1. “Stereochemistry and Orientation of the Addition of Alkyl-Lithium to 9-Methylanthracene”, Chemical Communications, 483 (1971).
  2. “Examination of Sample Pretreatments for Mercury Determination”, Analytical Chemistry, 2364 (1975).
  3. “Determination of Trace Transition Elements by PIXE Analysis”, Analytical Chemistry,  49, 432 (1977).
  4. “Extraction of Mercury by Dithizone and Stability of the Complex”, Analytical Chemistry, 49, 983 (1977).
  5. “Preparation of Hair and Nails for Trace Element Analysis”, Analytical Letters, B11, 183 (1978).
  6. “Trace Element Analysis of Pine Trees by the Tree Ring Method”, Radiochemical and Radioanalytical Letters, 33,361 (1978).
  7. “Evaluation of Lyophilization for Loss of Trace Elements by Neutron Activation Analysis”, Radiochemical and Radioanalytical Letters, 35, 161 (1978).
  8. “Comparison of Elemental Uptake by Pine Trees in Varied Environments”, Journal of Environmental Science and Health, A14(5), 365 (1979).
  9. “Exchange of Comments: Determination of the Natural Abundance of Iron-58 by Neutron Activation Analysis”, Analytical Chemistry, 5, 1570 (1979).
  10. “Activated Carbon Removal of Low-Level Radioactive Wastes from Aqueous Solutions”, Radiochemical and Radioanalytical Letters, 40, 309, (1979).
  11. “An Improved Procedure for the Determination of Lead in Environmental Samples by AAS”, Journal of Environmental Science and Health, A14(6), 501, (1979).
  12. “Simulated Acidic Digestion of a Sanitary Landfill Material”, Journal of Environmental Science and Health,A16(1), 9, (1981).
  13. “Simultaneous Isolation and Concentration of Zinc and Cadmium from Natural Water”, Radiochemical and Radioanalytical Letters,45, 347 (1980).
  14. “Gamma Ray Induced Decomposition of Oil Shale”, Radiochemical and Radioanalytical Letters”, 50, 37 (1981).
  15. “Elemental Volatilization During Combustion of Coal”, Radiochemical and Radioanalytical Letters, 51, 325 (1982).
  16. “Matrix Complications in the Determination of Radium Levels in Hydraulic Fracturing flowback Water from Marcellus Shale”, Environmental Science and Technology Letters, 1, 204-208 (2014).

 

Nuclear Industry Conference Presentations

  1. EVAC Small Scale Trial, Power Plant Symposium on Biofouling control Marlborough, MA (2000)
  2. Stator Coolant Corrosion Problems, EPRI Workshop on Stator Coolant Chemistry, Atlanta, GA(1998)
  3. QA/QA in the Radiochemistry Laboratory, EPA 10th Annual Waste Symposium, Washington, DC(1994)
  4. “Iron Transport Control Using Oxygen”, EPRI Plant Chemist Workshop, Huntington Beach, CA(1999)
  5. RCS CRUD and AOA, EPRI Plant Chemist Workshop, Huntington Beach, CA(1999)
  6. Tritium Leakage form SFP, 47th Annual Radiochemical Measurements Conference, Honolulu, HI (2001)
  7. Small Scale application of EDI on Steam Generator Blowdown, INPO Plant Chemists Workshop, Atlanta, GA (1994).
  8. “Potential Sources of Groundwater Contamination at Nuclear Power Plants”, Spent Fuel Pool Liner/Structural Leakage Issues Workshop, MPR Associates, Inc. Alexandria VA (May 2004).
  9. “Groundwater Contamination at Nuclear Power Plants”, 14th Annual RETS-REMP Conference, Syracuse, NY (June 2004).

 

 EPRI Guidelines Committee Member Publications

  1. Primary Water Chemistry Guidelines, TR-1002884, Rev. 04 (1999)
  2. Secondary Water Chemistry Guidelines, TR-102134, Rev. 05 (2000)
  3. Primary to Secondary Leak Guidelines, TR-104788, Rev. 02 (2000)
  4. Closed Cooling Water Chemistry Guidelines, Rev. 01 TR-1007820 (2004)
  5. Primary Water Chemistry Guidelines, TR-1002884, Rev. 05 (2003)
  6. Sampling and Analysis Guidance for Deposits on Reactor Vessel Heads, EPRI (September 2003)
  7. Secondary Water Chemistry Guidelines, TR-102134, Rev. 06 (2004)

 

Noted Contributions to Scientific Documents in Radiochemistry

  1. MARLAP. 2004. Multi-Agency Radiological Laboratory Analytical Protocol Manual. Volumes 1 - 3. Washington, DC: EPA 402-B-04-001A-C, NUREG 1576  NTIS PB2004-105421. July. Available at www.epa.gov/radiation/marlap/index.html
  2. Radiological Laboratory Sample Analysis Guide for Incidents of National Significance –Radionuclides in Air, EPA 402-R-09-007 June 2009
  3. Guide for Laboratories — Identification, Preparation, and Implementation of Core Operations for Radiological or Nuclear Incident Response,  EPA 402-R-10-002 (June 2010)
  4. Radiological Laboratory Sample Screening Analysis Guide for Incidents of National Significance, EPA 402-R-09-008 (June 2009)
  5. A Performance-Based Approach to the Use of Swipe Samples in Response to a Radiological or Nuclear Incident, EPA 600/R-11/122 October 2011
  6. Radiological Laboratory Sample Analysis Guide for Incidents of National Significance —  Radionuclides in Water, EPA 402-R-07-007 (January 2008)
  7. Guide for Radiological Laboratories for the Control of Radioactive Contamination and Radiation Exposure EPA 402-R-12-005 (August 2012)
  8. Method Validation Guide for Qualifying Methods Used by Radiological Laboratories Participating in Incident Response Activities, EPA 402-R-09-006 (June 2009)
  9. Radiological Laboratory Sample Analysis Guide for Incident Response – Radionuclides in Soil, EPA 402-R-12-006 (September 2012)
  10. Uses of Field and Laboratory Measurements During a Radiological or Nuclear Incident, EPA 402-R-12-007 (August 2012)
  11. Rapid Radiochemical Methods for Selected Radionuclides in Water, Air Particulate Filters and Swipes, and Soil Matrices for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents (Second Edition, 2013)
  12. High Resolution Gamma-Ray Spectrometry Analyses For Normal Operations and Radiological Incident Response

 

NRC Related Work

  1. Phenomena Identification and Ranking Table Evaluation of Chemical Effects Associated with Generic Safety Issue 191, NUREG 1918 (2008)
  2. Final Report ― Evaluation of Chemical Effects Phenomena in Post-LOCA Coolant, CR-6988 (2009)

Community Service

Initiated mentoring program for new radiochemists at the 2018 RRMC

Science Fair Judge at The Villages Charter High School since 2015

Professional Activities

Member of the American Chemical Society since 1972

Affiliations

American Chemical Society

Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society (1972-2012)

ASTM Committee D19-Water (1996-2015)

Radiobioassay and Radiochemical Measurements Conference 

Radiological Effluents and Environmental Workshop

Expertise

Radiochemistry

Gamma ray spectrometry                                                       

Sampling methods and analytical procedures used in radiochemical analysis

Response Guides for Laboratories following a radiological emergency

Rapid Radiochemical Methods of Analysis following a radiological event