title: Evaluation of soil radioactivities using pedologically based sampling techniques.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: University of Southwestern Louisiana, Department of Physics, Lafayette 70504-4210, USA.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Meriwether
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Beck
mesh_terms: D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive