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208 Tl and 24 Na Gamma Sources for Identifying Soil Water Tagged with Deuterium
Author(s) -
Hawkins R. H.,
Overman R. F.,
Corey J. C.
Publication year - 1971
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/sssaj1971.03615995003500020013x
Subject(s) - nuclide , radiochemistry , deuterium , tracing , chemistry , nuclear physics , physics , computer science , operating system
In situ tracing of soil water movement with the D 2 O‐ 24 Na method has been limited by the need to reactivate the 24 Na gamma source frequently (half‐life of 15 hours) in a nuclear reactor. Our laboratory study showed 208 Tl produced the same neutron count rates from vials of D 2 O in dry and moist soil as did 24 Na. The 1.9‐year effective half‐life of 208 Tl in equilibrium with its parent nuclide 228 Th is a significant advantage of 208 Tl over 24 Na. Recent commercial availability of 208 Tl sources now makes in situ D 2 O tracing of soil water feasible for investigators not having access to a nuclear reactor.