Determination of 226Ra in soil using 214Pb and 214Bi immediately after sampling.
It has long been common practice to quantify 226Ra in soil by gamma spectroscopy using the gamma emissions of 214Pb and 214Bi. This is necessary because of low gamma emission abundance of 226Ra and the difficulty of quantifying interference from 235U. Most analytical procedures using the 226Ra decay products call for sealing the sample for a period of 21-30 d to allow ingrowth, followed by gamma analysis. Recent studies indicate that the delay between sample collection and counting may not be necessary.
Van Cleef
D J
DJ
Analytical Technologies, Inc., Fort Collins, CO 80524.
D001729:Bismuth / Q000032:analysis; D007856:Lead Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis; D011883:Radium / Q000032:analysis*; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*
D007856:Lead Radioisotopes; D011868:Radioisotopes; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive; D001729:Bismuth; D011883:Radium