ABSTRACT
Objective The effect of sieved particle size and equilibration time of soil samples on the measurement of radionuclides was studied to improve the accuracy of the specific activity of radionuclides in soil samples measured by gamma spectrometer. Methods The collected soil samples were dried and divided into four parts. After sieved with width of the mesh 2.0 mm, 1.0 mm, 0.5 mm and 0.25 mm respectively, they were filled into sample containers and sealed. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 210Pb, 228Ra, 40K and 137Cs in different sieved soil samples were then measured at the sealed interval of 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 21, 25 and 29 days by HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry respectively. Results The coefficients of variation ofthe specific activities of 226Ra, 210Pb, and 228Ra in soil samples measured at different equilibration intervals range from 0.9% to 4.3%. The coefficients of variation of the specific activities of 226Ra, 210Pb, 228Ra, 40K and 137Cs in soil samples with different sieved particle sizes range from 3.7% to 14.1%. Conclusion When the specific activities of radionuclides are determined by gamma-ray spectrometer, the effect of the sieved particle size on the measurement result must be considered, and its impact is higher than the equilibration time. This study is very useful for improving the accuracy of the determination of radionuclides in soil sample using gamma-ray spectrometer.
ABSTRACT
Objective To study the variation in net count rates of natural radionuclides in background of gamma-ray spectrometer,so as to provide a scientific basis for reducing the effect of background fluctuations on sample measurement.Methods The unscheduled background spectrum obtained using two high-purity gamma-ray spectrometers during 2013-2017 were collected,and then the net count rates of 210pb,234Th,212Pb,214pb,208Tl,214Bi,228Ac and 40K were calculated and analyzed by aid of statistical method.Results There was a significant difference in the net count rates of 210Pb,234Th,212Pb,214Pb,208Tl,214Bi,228Ac and 40K in the background spectrum of gamma-ray spectrometer,and the net count rates of 214Pb,214Bi and 40K was significantly higher than those of 210Pb,234Th,212pb,208Tl and 228Ac.There were no significant differences in the net count rates of these eight natural radionuclides from 2013 to 2017,respectively (P ＞ O.05).However,the coefficients of variation in the net count rates for 214pb and 214Bi were both greater than 50％.Conclusions When the activity concentration of natural radionuclides is determined in a sample by gamma-ray spectrometer,it is critical to subtract the background spectrum obtained recently to ensure the accuracy of the measurement,especially for the low activity concentration of natural radionuclide to be measured.