Determination of 226Ra contamination depth in soil using the multiple photopeaks method

• Published in: Journal of environmental radioactivity 2014-02, Vol.128, p.33-37
• Main Authors: Haddad, Kh, Al-Masri, M.S., Doubal, A.W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis methods; Applied sciences; Attenuation; Bismuth - analysis; Contamination depth; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Exact sciences and technology; In-situ gamma spectrometry; Multiple photopeaks; NORM; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Radiation Monitoring - methods; Radioisotopes - analysis; Radium - analysis; Soil and sediments pollution; Soil Pollutants, Radioactive - analysis; Spectrometry, Gamma - methods; Syria; Thorium - analysis
• ISSN: 0265-931X; 1879-1700
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2013.10.025

Radioactive contamination presents a diverse range of challenges in many industries. Determination of radioactive contamination depth plays a vital role in the assessment of contaminated sites, because it can be used to estimate the activity content. It is determined traditionally by measuring the activity distributions along the depth. This approach gives accurate results, but it is time consuming, lengthy and costly. The multiple photopeaks method was developed in this work for 226Ra contamination depth determination in a NORM contaminated soil using in-situ gamma spectrometry. The developed method bases on linear correlation between the attenuation ratio of different gamma lines emitted by 214Bi and the 226Ra contamination depth. Although this method is approximate, but it is much simpler, faster and cheaper than the traditional one. This method can be applied for any case of multiple gamma emitter contaminant. •The multiple photopeaks method was developed for 226Ra contamination depth determination using in-situ gamma spectrometry.•The method bases on linear correlation between the attenuation ratio of 214Bi gamma lines and 226Ra contamination depth.•This method is simpler, faster and cheaper than the traditional one, it can be applied for any multiple gamma contaminant.