Determination of sulphur content in drill core samples by backscattered beta-particles and gamma-ray absorption

A relatively simple method of sulphur determination in drill cores of calcium carbonate matrix is described. The method is based on the combination of measurements of backscattered beta-particles and transmitted low energy gamma-radiation intensities. The transmitted gamma-radiation measurement corrects the errors of sulphur determination caused by the varying strontium sulphate and silicon dioxide content. The method has been tested on 170 samples. It was estimated that the standard deviation of sulphur determination does not exceed 2.5% of sulphur. The apparatus for routine absorption measurement is also described.