Investigating the minimum detectable activity concentration and contributing factors in airborne gamma-ray spectrometry

In this study,the theory of minimum detectable activity concentration(MDAC)for airborne gamma-ray spectrometry(AGS)was derived,and the relationship between the MDAC and the intrinsic effi-ciency of a scintillation counter,volume,and energy res-olution of scintillation crystals,and flight altitude of an aircraft was investigated.To verify this theory,experi-mental devices based on NaI and CeBr 3 scintillation counters were prepared,and the potassium,uranium,and thorium contents in calibration pads obtained via the stripping ratio method and theory were compared.The MDACs of AGS under different conditions were calculated and analyzed using the proposed theory and the Monte Carlo method.The relative errors found via a comparison of the experimental and theoretical results were less than 4%.The theory of MDAC can guide the work of AGS in probing areas with low radioactivity.

Performances of different efficiency calibration methods of high-purity-germanium gamma-ray spectrometry in an inter-comparison exercise

This study reports the performances of efficiency calibrations for high-purity-germanium gamma-ray spectrometry using the source-, Laboratory Sourceless Object Calibration Software(LabSOCS)-and ANGLE-based methods in an inter-comparison exercise. Although the results of LabSOCS and ANGLE for ^(241)Am emitting lowenergy gamma rays were not very satisfactory, all of the three efficiency calibration methods passed acceptance criteria. The results confirmed the reliability of the calculation codes ANGLE and LabSOCS as alternative efficiency calibration methods in high-purity-germanium gamma spectrometry. This study is likely to promote the further application of the ANGLE and LabSOCS calculation codes in radioactivity measurements.

The Maastrichtian-Danian in the SW Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt(S. Iran):An Integration of Planktonic Foraminiferal Biostratigraphy and Gamma-Ray Spectrometry

In this study, the Maastrichtian-Danian boundary was measured and sampled in two stratigraphic sections, the north and south flanks of the Dehnow anticline in Coastal Fars, Southern Iran. This boundary was also investigated in the drilled exploratory well-1 in the same region. The lithology of the Maastrichtian-Danian deposits consists of glauconitic, phosphatic argillaceous limestones and marlstones. 30 genera and 77 species of planktonic foraminifera have been determined. The recognized biozones are the Gansserina gansseri Interval Zone, and the Contusotruncana contusa Interval Zone, which indicates latest Campanian to middle Maastrichtian age for the upper part of the Gurpi Formation. In addition, the Eoglobigerina edita(P1) Partial Range Zone, Praemurica uncinata(P2) Lowest Occurrence Zone, Morozovella angulata(P3) Lowest Occurrence Zone and Globanomalina psudomenardii(P4) Taxon Range Zone represent a Danian to Thanetian age for the lower part of the Pabdeh Formation. From the absence of the Abathomphalus mayaroensis Interval Zone, Pseudoguembelina hariaensis Interval Zone, Pseudotextularia elegans Interval Zone, Plummerita hantkeninoides Interval Zone, Guembelitria cretacea(P0) Partial Range Zone and Parvularugoglobigerina eugubina(Pα) Total Range Zone, it can be deduced that there is a paraconformity across the Maastrichtian–Danian boundary in the studied area, this hiatus encompassing the late Maastrichtian and the earliest Danian. Danian deposits from the study area contain reworked glauconitized macrofossils, planktonic and benthic foraminifera of the Cretaceous. The obtained surface gamma-ray spectrometry logs resemble the exploratory well-1 gamma-ray wireline log.

Quantification of Phases in Lahore (Pakistan) Airborne Particulates by Matrix-Flushing Method

The mass concentrations of eighteen airborne samples collected from Lahore (Pakistan) are found in the range from 595 to 3027μg/m3with average value of 1130 μg/m3. Most of these values are normal and as reported in the literature for other parts of the world. The major phases identified in the samples by the X-ray powder diffraction technique are Albite (Anorthite), Calcite, Clinochlore (Chlorite), Gypsum, Illite, Quartz and Talc which have also been reported by other researchers to be present in the airborne particulates of other world locations. The average weight percentages of the phases (minerals) in the samples are respectively 15.5, 10.6, 23.7, 2.4, 19.1, 20.2, and 8.5. Some of the elements (e.g., boron, cadmium, lithium, manganese, titanium, and zinc) quantified in two samples determined using a spark-source mass spectrometer appear also to derive their origin from man-made activities. However no compound synthesized in the atmosphere is detected by the X-ray diffraction method.

Validation of ²²⁶Ra and ²²⁸Ra Measurements in Water Samples Using Gamma Spectrometric Analysis

Radium isotopes can be analyzed by different analytical methods based on gamma spectrometric measurements or alpha spectrometry. An improved method was developed to determine radium isotopes from water using gamma spectrometry after radiochemical separation. The Radium was selectively extracted from acidified samples using co-precipitation procedure with iron hydroxide and followed by precipitation of radium as radium sulphate Ba(Ra)SO4. The precipitate Ba(Ra)SO4 was filtered through the Millipore filter paper, dried and weighed to calculate chemical yield. 226Ra and 228Ra activities were measured using low-background gamma spectrometry in water samples. Radium was pre-concentrated from environmental samples by co-precipitation with BaSO4. The amounts of 226Ra and 228Ra on the sample were obtained by gamma-ray spectrometry for the 351 keVγ-ray from 214Pb and for the 911 keV γ-ray from 228Ac, both in radioactive equilibrium with precursors, respectively. The accuracy, selectivity, traceability, applicability and Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA) of the technique were discussed. Also, the effect of physical and chemical characteristics of the water samples such as TDS, pH, soluble species, sulphate and bicarbonate that effect on the radium determination were taking into consideration. The method has been validated with a certified reference material supplied by the International Atomic Energy Agency and reliable results were obtained. The radiochemical yields for radium were 70% - 90% and recovery was 97% and 80% for 226Ra and 228Ra, respectively.

Calibration of the High Purity Germanium Gamma-Ray Spectrometer in CERT, ABU Zaria, Nigeria

Gamma-ray spectrometry is a very powerful tool for radioactivity measurements. The gamma-ray spectrometer laboratory in Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria is accredited to perform measurements of radioactive content of samples collected from the environment, food chain or industrial products with the aid of a high resolution HPGe detector. For accurate gamma-ray spectrometry, certain measurements were considered;the efficiency of the detector was performed experimentally against energies within the range of 59.50 keV (241Am) to 2204.50 keV (226Ra) for the respective geometries of 1 - 6 cm. The sustained solid angle relations with respect to the inverse square of sample geometries from 1 - 6 cm were evaluated. Another main point of this work was focused on the efficiency at geometry of 5 cm with respect to the three selected energies: 661.60 keV (137Cs), 1173.2 keV (60Co) and 1332 keV (60Co) for the main axis, ten degree off main axis, forty five degree off main axis and ninety degree off the detector main axis. In order to verify optimum geometries in our laboratory for both short lived and long lived radionuclides analyses, the evaluation of efficiencies for the respective energies: 1173.2 keV (60Co), 1332.5 keV (60Co), 1764 keV (226Ra) and 2294 keV (226Ra) were plotted against geometries of 1 to 6 cm from the detector end cap along the main axis.

旋翼无人机航空γ能谱测量在异常查证中的应用

针对小面积、大比例尺铀资源勘查工作需求,设计了基于碘化铯(CSI)晶体的航空γ能谱探测器,与SY-120H无人机集成了旋翼无人机航空γ能谱测量系统,晶体分辨率优于10%,能谱峰漂优于±1道,采样频率1 Hz。该系统在石家庄航放标准模型和黄壁庄动态带上完成了系统校准,获取了一套标定参数;在二连浩特地区开展试验飞行,飞行高度约50 m,飞行速度约27.57 km/h,快速圈定了HF-08和HF-09异常的具体位置和异常范围。试验结果表明:无人机航空γ能谱测量得到的K、U、Th含量结果与地面测量结果基本一致,可为地面不易开展工作地区的地质勘查和放射性环境评价提供一种快速高效的勘查技术装备。

Minimum detectable activity for NaI(Tl) airborne γ-ray spectrometry based on Monte Carlo simulation

The determination of the effective minimum detectable activity(MDA)of radionuclides by a detection system plays an important role in environmental radiation monitoring.In this study,the responses of an NaI(Tl)airborne γ ray spectrometry(AGRS)system to different radionuclides(137Cs and 131I)were investigated using the Monte Carlo technique.The MDA values were determined under different conditions according to the counting spectra obtained from the Monte Carlo simulation.The equivalent mass thickness method was applied to the Monte Carlo modeling for monitoring ground radiation to reduce statistical uncertainty.The secondary source method was used to monitor both air and ground radiation.A quadratic relationship was found between the MDA and activity concentration.An exponential relationship was found between the MDA and altitude.The MDA of a specific radionuclide from external detectors was found to be superior to that obtained from internal detectors under the same conditions.The MDA values in an NaI(Tl)AGRS system under different conditions can be estimated based on the results of this study.

复杂地形条件下航空伽玛能谱地形改正方法探讨

应用矩形辐射体航空伽玛辐射场理论 ,研究应用于复杂地形条件下的航空伽玛能谱资料的地形改正方法 ,并针对该方法进行验证 .本文利用航空物探测量过程中获得的DTM数据 (达到了地形改正所需的地形起伏数据精度 ) ,应用矩形辐射体航空伽玛辐射场理论 ,根据地面辐射体与航空伽玛场分布之间的正演关系 ,对航空伽玛能谱解释方法的原理进行了正演分析和反演推导 .探索出一种按影响角进行地形改正的方法 .该方法特点是适合于任意飞行方式 (缓地形和水平飞行均可 )和任意地形条件航空伽玛能谱的逐点地形改正 .结果表明该地形改正方法能够基本消除航空伽玛能谱测量中的地形起伏产生的影响 ,经地形修正后的航空伽玛能谱异常能较正确地反映地面辐射体的真实情况 .

航空伽玛能谱仪对^(137)Cs点源响应特征及全谱数据的提取技术

航空伽玛能谱测量是电离辐射环境评价中快速、经济、有效的方法,尤其在核事故应急中有重要的应用。本文详细报道了GR-820航空伽玛能谱仪对Cs人工源的全谱响应特征的实验结果,采用传统能量窗方137法和人工核素比值法对实验数据进行了处理,比较了这两种方法的有效性。本研究结果对核事故应急航空放射性测量方法和精细伽玛能谱全谱数据分解方法研究具有重要的意义。

航空伽玛能谱数据的校正与重组

介绍了航空伽玛能谱谱线校正的方法,并且对经过校正航空伽玛能谱数据进行数据窗口的重组。对航空能谱仪谱漂产生的原因和航空伽玛能谱数据的处理方法进行了介绍,根据我国自主研制的航空伽玛能谱仪谱线采集的特点和谱线合成方式,提出了采用变尺度校正的方式对谱线数据进行校正,并且根据航空伽玛能谱测量的要求,对窗口数据进行重组。实验结果表明,该方法能比较有效地校正数据且获得准确的窗口数据。

应用同步辐射微束X射线荧光光谱法研究单个大气PM_(2.5)颗粒物的源特征

将高灵敏度的同步辐射微束X射线荧光光谱分析方法与计算机模式识别技术相结合,用于上海市大气PM2.5单颗粒物的源识别。分析了污染排放源的PM2.5单颗粒物,结果表明,来自不同污染排放源的颗粒物具有不同的能谱特征。同时分析了环境空气监测样品PM2.5单颗粒物,结果表明,在上海市中心区大气PM2.5的污染源主要以机动车尾气为主,而在吴淞工业区大气PM2.5的污染源主要以钢铁工业尘和燃煤烟尘为主。

全国航空物探工作现状及未来工作重点浅析

在新一轮矿产资源勘查评价工作中,航空物探工作要先行。本文在分析我国航空物探工作现状及存在问题的基础上,就今后一段时期内航空物探工作重点进行了简要的探讨,为我国"十二五"期间的航空物探工作部署提供参考。

二级热脱附-气相色谱-质谱联用测定大气可吸入颗粒物中的16种多环芳烃

建立了二级热脱附-气相色谱-质谱联用技术测定大气可吸入颗粒物PM10中16种多环芳烃的分析方法。对二级热脱附和色谱-质谱条件进行了优化。实验结果表明,方法的检出限为0.14～0.42ng/m3,平均加标回收率为52.7%～97.9%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为8.0%～18.4%。与传统方法相比,该方法的样品前处理时间短、有机溶剂的使用量少,是对人体及环境友善的检测技术。该方法已应用于32份实际大气颗粒物样品的分析。

航空γ谱仪系统校准的基本内容和有关问题探讨

航空γ谱仪系统校准工作是航空野外监测任务质量保证的重要组成内容,由于航空γ谱仪系统监测周边环境大尺度范围的辐射现状,其受到的影响因素很多,给校准工作带来了很大难度。本文针对目前航空监测不同的应用环境,提出航空监测校准的基本内容,分析影响校准的主要因素,对校准现状面临的有关问题进行讨论并给出了合理建议。

我国航空γ能谱测量概述

概述了航空γ能谱测量在我国近半个世纪以来的发展历程、解释方法及应用状况等。从最初的借鉴国外的方法技术到自主开发、创新,从单一的铀矿普查到多方面综合利用,航空γ能谱测量在我国得到广泛应用,取得了丰硕成果。但是目前在数据采集、处理、信息提取、综合解释等方面还不够完善,需要进一步发展、改进,为此提出当前存在的问题及今后发展的方向。

NASVD方法在航空伽玛能谱数据降噪中的应用

介绍了一种基于多元统计分析的降噪处理方法——NASVD方法的核心思想及其程序实现步骤。对某地区航空伽玛能谱测量数据集进行降噪处理的试验结果表明:NASVD方法能够显著地消除原始能谱数据中统计涨落的影响,其降噪效果明显优于传统的能谱降噪方法。

基于康普顿散射本底扣除的航空γ能谱测量谱线比大气氡校正方法

大气氡子体释放的γ射线严重影响航空γ能谱测量结果,而谱线比大气氡校正方法是航空γ能谱测量大气氡校正数学方法中校正效果较好的一种。本文在此方法的基础上提出了基于快速傅里叶变换扣除散射射线的谱线比大气氡校正方法,研究了改进后新谱线比法不同组分校正系数和高度之间的关系,建立了新谱线比大气氡校正数学模型,并提出了校正系数的地面饱和模型刻度技术。改进后的谱线比大气氡校正方法的适用性及其校正系数的刻度效率得到了提高,节省了谱线比方法应用成本,解决了传统谱线比大气氡校正方法中校正系数采用谱形拟合方法导致物理含义丢失的问题。

阳离子交换树脂分离电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定空气颗粒物中铂族元素

用Dowex AG50W-X8阳离子交换树脂分离空气颗粒物中Pt、Pd、Rh测定的干扰元素Cu、Ga、Hf、Pb、Rb、Sr、Y。模拟标准液实验确定出Dowex AG50W-X8阳离子交换树脂分离流程的最佳条件:上柱HCl浓度为0.8mol/L,树脂柱床高为4cm,洗脱速率为1mL/min。铂族元素分析的国际标准物质BCR-723对照分析表明,Pt、Pd、Rh的测定值与标准值吻合,干扰元素Cu、Ga、Pb、Rb、Sr、Y的分离效率均大于94%,这表明所建立的Dowex 50W-X8阳离子交换树脂分离流程是可靠的。

航空伽马能谱测量方法技术现状与展望

简要地介绍了国内外航空伽马能谱测量方法技术的发展现状,尤其是近年来航空伽马能谱测量在仪器研制、数据处理与资料解释方法技术及应用领域等方面取得的最新进展,并结合我国当前地质找矿工作的需求,提出今后一段时期我国航空伽马能谱量测工作的重点应着眼于加强区域性航空伽马能谱测量工作,重视资料的二次开发利用及拓展新应用领域;要作好仪器国产化之后的实用化开发,及加强航空伽马能谱测量新方法技术研究。