title: A semi-empirical approach for determination of low-energy gamma-emmiters in sediment samples with coaxial Ge-detectors.
abstract: A simple method for the determination in sediment samples of low-energy gamma-emitters with coaxial Ge detectors and using a cylindrical sample geometry is outlined. This method allows an easy estimation of self-absorption effects by knowing the apparent densities and the composition of the investigated samples. As calibration matrixes solid samples enriched in known amounts of natural radionuclides emitting low-energy gamma rays were used. In this way, the difficult homogenisation steps needed when liquid spikes are added to a solid blank for manufacturing the calibration sample are avoided. The method has been carefully checked and validated by applying it to sediment samples with known activities of some low-energy gamma-ray emitters. Additionally, these sediment measurements have allowed to evaluate the magnitude and importance of the self-absorption corrections.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Física Aplicada, EPS La Rábida, 21819-Palos, Huelva, Spain.
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: San Miguel
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Perez-Moreno
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bolivar
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: García-Tenorio
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D002138:Calibration / Q000592:standards; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D005857:Germanium; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D013051:Spectrometry, Gamma / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D014159:Transducers
chemical_list: D011868:Radioisotopes; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive; D005857:Germanium