Applying astroparticle physics techniques to the detection of Pb contamination in water

TRACE is an international collaboration formed for a group of physicists,
engineers and biologist. It started as a group of physicists applying
astrophysical and high energy particles techniques to detect lead
contamination in water and products of human consumption. A goal of the
collaboration is the construction of LABChico. It will be a shallow
underground laboratory to make research, perform academic activities and
train human resources in low background techniques. Topographical,
geomechanical and gamma flux studies have been performed to find the most
suitable site and to determine mine’s security and the background of the
laboratory. LABChico facility will be provided with high purity germanium
(HPGe) detectors and muon flux detectors. HPGe detectors has been
characterized. Besides, a computational program has been developed used to
identify isotopes through gamma ray spectroscopy. Its methodology and
results are commented and, at last, the most current innovation of the
collaboration is Plombox which is in development. Plombox is going to be an
open hardware and software device used to measure contamination of lead in
water on site. It will be able to measure concentration of lead in water
using genetically modified bacteria. Reports will be sent to remote web
server using a dedicated app. This collaboration has been founded for the
Global Challenges Research Fund of the United Kingdom and it is supported by
the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Universidad de Buenos Aires,
Centro atómico de Bariloche, Boulby Underground Laboratory and the Royal
Holloway University of London.