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A Russian expert instructs Armenian scientists at the laboratory in Yerevan. |
AED works to create projects to improve water quality in Armenia.
Minasyan said, “The most important achievement is that we now have two very good experts who use the equipment.”
In 2005 an inductively coupled plasma spectrometer was purchased for the Environmental Impact Monitoring Center of the RA Ministry of Nature Protection. Funds from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) covered the cost of the equipment. The inductively coupled plasma spectrometer is an important piece of equipment for Armenia because it has the ability to detect chemical elements in water.
The maintenance center for the spectrometer is located in Moscow. The Academy of Educational Development (AED) works closely with the Center in Yerevan and Moscow to create projects to improve the quality of water throughout Armenia. As a result of AED’s efforts the staff at the maintenance center in Moscow makes trips to the laboratory in Yerevan. The Russian experts teach the Armenian staff how to properly operate and maintain the spectrometer. In addition, the Russian staff teaches the Armenian scientists a variety of new complex methods for testing water samples using the equipment.
The Yerevan laboratory is becoming very successful since obtaining the equipment. They are receiving commissions from industrial companies throughout Armenia to check water samples. Often these are the companies that struggle to meet ecological regulations.
Furthermore, the lab participates in the European-inter laboratory experiments known as inter-calibration. Such experiments occur when a sample is tested in a developed country and then given to several developing countries for testing. A recent experiment included Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Kazakhstan among several other developing countries. Of all these countries the Environmental Monitoring Center of Armenia produced the most accurate results. As a result, Armenia received certification allowing the country an attempt to achieve international accreditation for the lab, which would allow the laboratory to process commission requests from abroad.
The Deputy Head of the Environmental Impact Monitoring Center of the RA Ministry of Nature Protection, Seyran Minasyan, believes the projects in Yerevan and Moscow have been beneficial because they allow for both countries to exchange information and develop proper techniques to use the equipment effectively. In addition, Minasyan said, “The most important achievement is that we now have two very good experts who use the equipment,” because the equipment is very modern and difficult to operate properly. He hopes that Armenia and Russia will continue to share ideas regarding the usage of the spectrometer.
Publication Date: 2009-05-25
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