Evaluation of soil radioactivities using pedologically based sampling techniques.
A new type of soil sampling protocol is suggested which has applicability to surveys of environmental radioactivity. Often there is a higher concentration of radionuclides in the lower B horizon than in the upper A horizon of well-drained, well-developed soils. It is recommended that soils be sampled pedologically, i.e., by soil horizon, rather than incrementally in depth. An example is given from a site in northern Louisiana where surface and/or the classical 15 cm ("six-inch") deep sampling could lead to erroneous conclusions regarding anthropogenic contamination.
Meriwether
J R
JR
University of Southwestern Louisiana, Department of Physics, Lafayette 70504-4210, USA.
Burns
S F
SF
Thompson
R H
RH
Beck
J N
JN
D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*
D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive