Analysis for naturally occuring radionuclides at environmental concentrations by gamma spectrometry

TLDR: The analytical potential of low level, high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry for naturally occurring radionuclides at environmental levels is described, with particular emphasis on detector background levels and sensitivity as mentioned in this paper.

Abstract: The analytical potential of low level, high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry for naturally occurring radionuclides at environmental levels is described, with particular emphasis on detector background levels and sensitivity. Comparisons are drawn between the performance of a specially designed low background detector system, and that of standard “off the shelf” devices. Sample characteristics, calibration procedures and checks, are described, and empirical minimum detection limits of between 0.4 Bq·kg−1 (226Ra,228Th) and 10 Bq·kg−1 (210Pb) are derived for soil or sediment samples of about 250 g. Representative analyses of a variety of environmental samples, including water, plant material, animal tissue and sediment, are given to illustrate the routine use of the spectrometer.