Distribution of137Cs,40K,238U and232Th in soils from Northern Venezuela

More than one hundred undisturbed soil samples from Northern Venezuela and the islands of Margarita and Los Roques have been analyzed for¹³⁷Cs,⁴⁰K,²³⁸U and²³²Th by -ray spectroscopy. The specimens were taken from between 5–10 cm below the earth's surface. Thus, they are valid not only for the¹³⁷Cs deposition studies but also for the estimation of the natural -ray dose from primordial radionuclides that form the terrestrial component. The concentration of⁴⁰K was directly determined from its 1461 keV -ray, while those of¹³⁷Cs,²³⁸U and²³²Th were performed using a -ray from one of their daughter radionuclides: the 661 keV -ray of^137mBa for¹³⁷Cs, the 1760 keV -ray of²¹⁴Bi for²³⁸U and the 2620 keV -ray of²⁰⁸Tl for²³²Th. Finally, the concentration values were compared with those of global estimates.     

Radionuclide contents in environmental samples as related to the Chernobyl accident

Many kinds of environmental samples including total diet samples, were collected in the Chernobyl (Ukraine) vicinity and in Ibaraki prefecture (Japan). Six radionuclides and twelve stable elements were analyzed. After samples were dry-ashed, radioactivities of¹³⁷Cs,¹³⁴Cs,⁴⁰K,⁶⁰Co and⁵⁴Mn were determined by -ray spectroscopy with a germanium detector. Strontium-90 was determined by low-background -spectrometry. Stable elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Comparison of the levels of radionuclides between the Ukraine and Ibaraki showed the former were several times to a few tens of thousands of times higher than the latter, depending on the samples.     

Radioactivity in the highly contaminated area near the Chernobyl site

Field measurements of radioactivity were performed in highly contaminated areas around Chernobyl in the summer of 1990. Six radionuclides including the most dominant¹³⁷Cs have been identified in soil samples through -ray spectrometry. The relation between the -ray dose rate above the ground and the radioactivity density in soils has been investigated. The external dose from deposited radiocesium for the period of 70 years after the deposition has been evaluated to be about 5 mSv per 1 and 0.5 Ci km^–2 of¹³⁷Cs and¹³⁴Cs deposition, respectively.     

A New Gamma-Ray Spectrum Catalog for PGAA

A major obstacle to the use of the prompt gamma activation analysis (PGAA) method has so far been the lack of a suitable library. Therefore, new measurements have been performed at the PGAA facility at Budapest Research Reactor (BRR) in order to create a prompt -ray catalog for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Prompt -ray energies and associated k ₀-factors have been determined by internal standardization. The resulting catalog contains prompt -ray data from neutron capture and other reactions such as (n,), and decay -ray data from short-lived reaction products. Data have been measured for nearly all stable elements, from hydrogen to uranium. Generally, data for several isotopes are given, to enable isotopic analysis as well.     

Determination of40K and137Cs concentration in selected honey samples

Seventeen honey samples collected at different sites during 1992 have been measured using the method of -spectroscopy. Measurements were performed by a low background high purity germanium spectrometer of a relative efficiency of 14.5% and an energy resolution of 1.7 keV. Using natural -ray sources to determine efficiency, it has been shown that out of 17 samples of natural honey only two (of meadow type) have specific activity of¹³⁷Cs greater than 0.5 Bq kg^–1. The remaining samples have the same¹³⁷Cs concentrations as before May, 1986. Predominant activity in all samples comes from the⁴⁰K radionuclide, indicating natural honey.     

Ceramic glaze analysis by simultaneous in-beam PGAA and XRFS

Twenty-one ready-to-use hobby glazes, of which 18 were labeled safe for food containers (SFFC), were analyzed for Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Gd, Hf, K, Mn, Na, Pb, Si, Sm, Sr, Ti, Zn, and Zr by neutron capture prompt -ray activation analysis (PGAA). Simultaneously, Pb was also determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRFS) using Pb K X-rays induced by the -ray component of the neutron beam. The XRFS limits of detection were 200–400 g Pb·g^–1 (dry weight), a factor of 100 better than those for PGAA. Pb concentrations (by dry weight; with weight losses ranging from 28 to 49% after air-drying) found were 0.16–27.2% in the SFFC glazes and 0.86–32% in the other glazes. The SFFC glazes contained from <0.6 to 202 g Cd·g^–1, and Co, Cr, and Cu (elements which may enhance Pb leaching from fired glazes) were found in concentrations up to 1.2, 2.7, and 5.6%, respectively. Method accuracy was demonstrated with the analysis of soil, fly ash, and glass standard reference materials.     

A new gamma-ray spectrum catalog and library for PGAA

New measurements have been performed at the PGAA facility at the Budapest Research Reactor (BRR) in order to create a prompt -ray catalog for qualitative and quantitative analysis. The measured spectra were accurately analyzed by HYPERMET-PC. Prompt -ray energies and associated -ray production cross-sections have been determined by internal standardization. The resulting catalog contains prompt -ray data from neutron capture and other reactions such as (n,), and decay -ray data from short-lived reaction products. Data have been measured for nearly all stable elements, from hydrogen to uranium. Generally, data for several isotopes are given, to enable isotopic analysis as well. The whole library, including elemental spectra, will be available as a book.     

Recent developments in HYPERMET PC

HYPERMET PC is a user-friendly -ray spectrum analysis software package developed at Budapest, mainly for the purpose of prompt- neutron activation analysis (PGAA). The peak fitting algorithm is an improved version of the well-known HYPERMET code, and contains a partial peak-parameter calibration to describe peak shapes more accurately in the wide energy range typical for prompt- spectra. A nuclide identification routine has also been developed using a new PGAA library, shown in a parallel paper. The new module for quantitative PGAA includes all the features necessary to obtain concentration values for elements.     

Accumulation of103Ru,137Cs and134Cs in fruitbodies of various mushrooms from Austria after the Chernobyl incident

Various mushrooms from Austria were analyzed for¹⁰³Ru,¹³⁷Cs and¹³⁴Cs after the reactor accident at Chernobyl /19.6.–26.10. 1986/ by -spectroscopy. The following concentration (nCi/kg wet weight) values were found:¹⁰³Ru 0.1–4 nCi/kg,¹³⁷Cs 0.5–104 nCi/kg,¹³⁴Cs 0.3–42 nCi/kg. The concentration of cesium isotopes in Cantharellus cibarius /lower Austria/, Leccinum scabrum /lower Austria/ and Xevocomus badius /lower Austria/ was considerably higher than in other mushroom samples.     

The biological half-life of137Cs in snails

The biological half-life of¹³⁷Cs in snails Helix pomatia after a single administration of contaminated diet has been investigated. The calculation was based on the retention of¹³⁷Cs in snails in vivo. It was found that loss of cesium from snails can be explained by a two-exponential retention curve leading to biological loss constants _{B 1}=0.27 d^–1 and _{B 2}=0.024 d^–1, which correspond to biological half-lives of T_{B 1}=2.5 d and T_{B 2}=28.5 d respectively. The equation describing the retention of¹³⁷Cs in snails is also presented.     

The determination of caesium 137 in irradiated uranium and irradiated thorium using anion-exchange paper and the ring oven technique

Summary By use of a strongly basic anion-exchange resin paper in the hydroxide or carbonate forms, caesium 137 can be separated from irradiated uranium solutions on a ring oven. A ring oven separation of caesium 137 from irradiated thorium can also be achieved by using an oxalate-hydroxide form resin paper. In each case the caesium 137 is washed to the ring zone with water and determined by-ray spectrometry. The coefficient of variation of the methods is less than 2 per cent.

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Zusammenfassung Mit einem stark basischen Anionenaustauschpapier in der Hydroxid- oder Carbonatform kann¹³⁷Cs aus bestrahlten Uranlösungen auf einem Ringofen abgetrennt werden. Mit einem Oxalat-Hydroxid-Harzpapier läßt sich¹³⁷Cs auch von bestrahltem Thorium auf einem Ringofen trennen. In beiden Fällen wird¹³⁷Cs mit Wasser in die Ringzone gespült und durch-Strahlspektrometrie bestimmt. Die Methoden unterliegen Abweichungen von weniger als 2%.

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Résumé Par l'emploi d'un papier échangeur d'anion sous forme hydroxyde ou carbonate, le césium 137 peut être séparé de solutions d'uranium irradié au four annulaire. On peut aussi séparer, au four annulaire, le césium 137 du thorium irradié, avec un papier résineux sous forme hydroxyde-oxalate. Dans chacun cas, le césium 137 est chassé vers la zone annulaire par de l'eau et déterminé par spectrométrie. Les méthodes peuvent fournir une précision meilleure que 2 pour cent.

     

A new detection method of99Tc by nuclear excitation

A new nuclear excitation process,⁹⁹Tc (, )^99mTc reaction, was applied for the first time to radioactivation analysis of technetium. Bremsstrahlung irradiation of⁹⁹Tc samples gave the reaction product^99mTc which emits -ray measurable with ease by a semiconductor detector. The production rate of^99mTc per g⁹⁹Tc was linearly correlated with the flux of bremsstrahlung. The detection limit of⁹⁹Tc was estimated to be nanogram order (0.63 Bq⁹⁹Tc) under the optimum irradiation condition. Possible interference by¹⁰⁰Ru(, p)^99mTc reaction was also studied, which could be discriminated from the (, ) reaction by simultaneously occurring⁹⁸Ru (, p)⁹⁷Ru reaction.     

Gas-chromatographic technique for rapid isolation of uranium fission products

Summary A gas-chromatographic technique for a rapid separation of fission iodine or bromine from the other elements formed in nuclear fission was developed. Recoil-formed, volatile methyl bromide and methyl iodide were isolated within 1 min after the end of irradiation. An extension of this technique to other elements and to other nuclear reactions should be possible.The -ray spectra of both halogen fractions were measured. A dominating -ray at 0.79 MeV and a weaker -ray at 0.51 MeV were assigned to ⁸⁸Br (half life 16 sec). No -ray could be unambiguously attributed to ¹³⁷I (24 sec), a fact which makes unlikely the presence of highly intensive peaks in the -ray spectrum of this isotope. Further details of the spectra are discussed.

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Zusammenfassung Eine gaschromatographische Methode zur schnellen Isolierung von Spaltjod oder Spaltbrom aus dem Gemisch der bei der Kernspaltung entstehenden Elemente wurde entwickelt. Mittels Spaltrückstoß gebildetes, flüchtiges Methylbromid oder Methyljodid wurde innerhalb 1 min nach Bestrahlungsende isoliert. Die Methode sollte auf andere Elemente und andere Kernreaktionen übertragbar sein.-Spektren der beiden Halogenfraktionen wurden gemessen und ergaben für ⁸⁸Br (Halbwertszeit 16 sec) eine dominierende Linie bei 0,79 MeV und eine schwache Linie bei 0,51 MeV. In der Jodfraktion wurde keine -Linie beobachtet, die man eindeutig ¹³⁷J (24 sec) hätte zuordnen können, was sehr intensive Peaks im Spektrum dieses Isotops unwahrscheinlich macht. Weitere Einzelheiten der Spektren werden diskutiert.

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Dedicated to Prof. Dr. F. Strassmann on his 65th birthday.     

Mapping of the distribution of 137Cs in Irish Sea sediments

The Sellafield nuclear fuel reprocessing plant released a total of 41 PBq of ¹³⁷Cs into the Irish Sea in the period 1952–1998. The present work integrates a series of surveys of the ¹³⁷Cs distribution in sediment offshore Sellafield which was aimed at obtaining a detailed picture of the patterns of sediment contamination and their time evolution, and an estimate of the ¹³⁷Cs inventory in sediment. The authors applied NaI(Tl)-based underwater -ray spectrometry to record a series of 1800 one-minute spectra along 14 transects totaling 160 Nm. The dominant feature of the contamination pattern obtained from this survey remains a stripe extending northwestwards along the coast from the discharge point, as reported for previous surveys. Steep gradients are observed perpendicular to the coast, with ¹³⁷Cs countrates decreasing to half the recorded maximum over a distance of less than 2000 m.     

Determination of137Cs and134Cs in air samples collected near Belgrade /Yugoslavia/ following the Chernobyl accident

This paper presents the results of measurements of¹³⁷Cs and¹³⁴Cs content in air sampled during May 1986. Maximum concentrations:¹³⁷Cs 2.94±0.01 Bq m^–3 and¹³⁴Cs 1.38±0.01 Bq m^–3 were registered on May 3. Several other long lived radionuclides having -energies in the region 33 keV to 1365 keV were registered in the same samples two years later. The results of measurements of the total -activity in air for the same period are also presented.     

Measurement of the radioactivity of238U,232Th,226Ra,137Cs and40K in soil using direct Ge(Li) γ-ray spectrometry

Radioactivity of the nuclides²³⁸U(²³⁵U),²³²Th,²²⁶Ra,¹³⁷Cs and⁴⁰K was measured in soil by direct -ray spectrometry using Ge(Li) detector. Relative laboratory method was used. Soil was dired, powdered, sieved and put into hemetically sealed container. CCRMP certified reference materials and compounds of the above nuclides mixed with fine quartz sand were used as references. Five and four -lines were used for the determination of²³²Th and²²⁶Ra, respectively, to obtain more accurate results. The most significant interferences, caused by the limited energy resolution of the detector, were resolved. In the case of ordinary soils, using one day duration of measurement and 1 kg mass of soil,²³²Th,²²⁶Ra and⁴⁰K can be determined with less than 10% relative random error. Elevated concentrations of²³⁸U(²³⁵U) and²²⁶Ra were observed in soil samples collected around a coal-fired power plant in Ajka town, Hungary.     

Radionuclide concentration in sewage sludge at several location in Austria after the Chernobyl accident

The concentration of the radionuclides¹⁰³Ru,¹³⁴Cs and¹³⁷Cs in sewage sludge samples which were collected between July and September 1986, were measured by -ray spectrometry. High concentration of¹⁰³Ru,¹³⁴Cs and¹³⁷Cs were found in sewage sludge samples from Lower-Austria /Scheibbs, Zwettl/ and Styria /Eisenerz, Leoben/. the radioactivity concentration of¹³⁷Cs was two times higher than that of¹³⁴Cs. Following concentration values were found:¹⁰³Ru 0.1–63.0 nCi kg^–1,¹³⁴Cs 0.3–41.6 nCi kg^–1, and¹³⁷Cs 0.3–83.3 nCi kg^–1. The activity of these nuclides decreased from July 1986 to September 1986.     

A new improved expression for gamma-ray detection efficiency of Ge(Li) detectors

In the present paper, a new improved expression for -ray detection efficiency of Ge(Li) detectors, ⁰ , is given. It is represented as a continuous function of x (viz. E ^–1) with a maximum and decreases very rapidly to a small positive value as -ray energy, E, drops to 40 keV or lower, but slowly as E rises to 1.7 MeV or higher. Since it can well represent the whole physical process of the -ray detection, this expression may be one of the simplest and most precise representations, for ⁰ at the present time.     

Neutron scattering by hydrogen in cold neutron prompt gamma-activation analysis

The effects of neutron scattering by hydrogen within targets for cold neutron prompt -ray activation analysis (CNPGAA) have been characterized. For most targets studied, the probability for neutron absorption, and hence CNPGAA sensitivities (counts·s^–1·mg^–1), decrease with increasing H content and with target thickness. Comparisons with results from thermal neutron PGAA indicate that the effects of cold neutron scattering differ from those of thermal neutron scattering. CNPGAA sensitivities for l/v nuclides show similar sensitivity decreases, while Sm sensitivities show smaller decreases.     

Cold neutron prompt gamma-ray activation analysis at NIST — Recent developments

The cold neutron capture prompt -ray activation analysis (CNPGAA) spectrometer located in the Cold Neutron Research Facility (CNRF) at NIST has proven useful for the analysis of hydrogen and other elements in a wide variety of materials. Modifications of the instrument and the CNRF have resulted in improved measurement capabilities for PGAA. The addition of an atmosphere-controlled sample chamber and Compton suppression have reduced -ray background and increased signal-to-noise ratio. More recent revisions are expected to yield still further improvement in analytical capabilities. Replacement of the D₂O ice cold source with a liquid H₂ moderator is expected to yield a 5–10 fold increase in neutron capture rate, and improved neutron and -ray shielding will result in further reduction of the background. Other modifications to the instrument allow easier sample mounting and more precise positioning of samples in the neutron beam. Significant improvements in detection limits and analytical accuracy are expected.