Radioactivity measurements in the aquatic environment using in-situ and laboratory gamma-ray spectrometry

Appl Radiat Isot. 2013 Dec:82:268-78. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2013.08.007. Epub 2013 Sep 12.

Abstract

The in-situ underwater gamma-ray spectrometry method is validated by inter-comparison with laboratory method. Deployments of the spectrometer KATERINA on a submarine spring and laboratory measurements of water samples with HPGe detector were performed. Efficiency calibrations, Monte Carlo simulations and the Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA) estimations were realized. MDAs varied from 0.19 to 10.4 (lab) and 0.05 to 0.35 (in-situ) Bq/L, while activity concentrations differed from 7% (for radon progenies) up to 10% (for (40)K), between the two methods.

Keywords: Extended sources; HPGe; In-situ gamma-ray spectrometry; Inter-calibration; MCNP5; MDA.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calibration
  • Computer Simulation
  • Greece
  • Humans
  • Limit of Detection
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Radiation Monitoring / instrumentation
  • Radiation Monitoring / methods*
  • Radiation Monitoring / statistics & numerical data
  • Radioisotopes / analysis
  • Seawater / analysis
  • Spectrometry, Gamma / instrumentation
  • Spectrometry, Gamma / methods*
  • Spectrometry, Gamma / statistics & numerical data
  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive / analysis*

Substances

  • Radioisotopes
  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive