title: Monte Carlo simulation of gamma-ray spectra from natural radionuclides recorded by a NaI detector in the marine environment.
abstract: The GEANT4 Monte Carlo code has been used to simulate gamma-ray spectra of natural radionuclides collected by a NaI scintillation detector immersed in seawater. The gamma-rays emitted from the decay of (40)K, and the series of (232)Th and (238)U, were used to describe the radioactive water source around the NaI crystal. The simulated gamma-ray spectra were compared with real data recorded in situ by a newly constructed NaI spectrometer and were found to be in good agreement. The NaI spectrometer was calibrated in the laboratory in a water tank, before its deployment in seawater. Activity concentrations were deduced from the gamma-ray spectra and discussed in comparison with results from the literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, National Technical University of Athens, 157 80 Athens, Greece. vlastou@central.ntua.gr
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vlastou
authors.forename: I Th
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Ntziou
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kokkoris
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Papadopoulos
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tsabaris
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D005720:Gamma Rays; D007452:Iodates; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*; D013051:Spectrometry, Gamma; D013057:Spectrum Analysis
chemical_list: D007452:Iodates; D011868:Radioisotopes; C032285:sodium iodate