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Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) is the only technique able to determine extremely low concentrations (<10^-12) of long-lived radioisotopes in small (mg) environmental samples.  The best known application is the AMS radiocarbon dating method.  Other applications include climatology, nuclear safeguards and geological exposure dating.  

ANSTO has three accelerators that support ANSTO's mission and research in a number of areas.  The Australian National Tandem Accelerator (ANTARES) is the only accelerator anywhere in the world accredited by the IAEA for use in Nuclear Safeguards work.  ANSTO is sent samples from various countries to test for the minute traces of radioactive releases that would indicate the presence of a clandestine nuclear weapons program. 

The accelerators are also used in carbon dating of historical artefacts and objects from the natural world, as well as in such applications as authenticating wine vintages.  In conjunction with the Australian Forensic Drug Laboratory (AFDL), ANSTO also uses radiocarbon dating to accurately determine the growing season of illicit drugs.  There are also applications in a wide range of environmental applications, such as dating ice cores to research climate change in the southern hemisphere.  ANSTO's accelerator-based services and research and development are provided nationally to all universities through AINSE and commercially to Australian industry, local councils, CSIRO and other research organisations, and internationally through IAEA training fellowships and collaborative grants and commercial jobs.