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Gamma Scintillation Spectrometry of Soil and Tree Leaves
Author(s) -
Mortensen J. L.
Publication year - 1962
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1962.03615995002600020013x
Subject(s) - thorium , uranium , loam , mass spectrometry , gamma ray spectrometry , radiochemistry , scintillation , liquid scintillation counting , spectrometer , chemistry , analytical chemistry (journal) , environmental science , soil water , physics , environmental chemistry , nuclear physics , chromatography , soil science , quantum mechanics , detector , optics
A two‐crystal spectrometer was developed for gamma scintillation spectrometry of low‐level environmental samples. Response to gamma‐rays and resolution, efficiency, and background characteristics of the spectrometer were determined. Spectra of gamma emitters in Canfield silt loam sampled in August, 1960, showed the presence of thorium + daughters, uranium + daughters, K 40 , Cs 137 (190 mc. per mile 2 ), Ru 106 ‐Rh 106 (885 mc. per mile 2 ) and Ce 144 ‐Pr 144 (1275 mc. per mile 2 ). Spectra of tree leaves obtained in the fall of 1959 and counted in June, 1960 showed the presence of Ba 140 ‐La 140 , K 40 , Ru 106 ‐Rh 106 , Zr 95 ‐Nb 95 , Cs 137 , Ce 144 ‐Pr 144 . Leaves sampled in the fall of 1960 contained K 40 , Cs 137 , Ru 106 ‐Rh 106 and Ce 144 ‐Pr 144 .