![Page 1: Measuring low concentrations of naturally occurring uranium by analysing the 351.9 keV gamma ray peak of 214 Pb. Jacques Bezuidenhout Stellenbosch University](https://reader030.vdocuments.site/reader030/viewer/2022032723/56649f525503460f94c75ad0/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Measuring low concentrations of naturally occurring uranium by
analysing the 351.9 keV gamma ray peak of 214Pb.
Jacques Bezuidenhout
Stellenbosch University
South Africa
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Naturally Occurring Radioactive Nuclides
- Earth’s sciences - Exploration- Environmental monitoring - Classification of soil and rocks- Fossil areas- Mining areas
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Gamma ray surveys(in situ)
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Uranium (238U), Thorium (232Th) and Potassium (40K)
Primordial nuclides
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A Typical Laboratory Gamma Ray Spectrum
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200 2400 2600 2800
214Pb (351.3 keV)
40K (1460.8 keV)
214Bi (1764.5 keV)
208Tl (2614.5 keV)
Energy (keV)
Cou
nts
Method
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Uranium decayU-238 gamma lines
0.00
5.00
10.00
15.00
20.00
25.00
30.00
35.00
40.00
45.00
50.00
92.3
8
92.8
0
99.8
5
131.
30
152.
72
186.
21
226.
50
227.
25
241.
99
249.
22
293.
79
295.
22
351.
93
369.
50
568.
90
569.
50
609.
31
699.
03
705.
90
733.
39
742.
81
768.
35
796.
10
805.
80
831.
50
876.
00
883.
24
898.
67
925.
00
925.
90
926.
72
934.
06
946.
00
1120
.28
1238
.11
1377
.66
1393
.90
1407
.98
1509
.22
1729
.59
1764
.49
1847
.42
2204
.21
Gamma energy [keV]
Inte
nsi
ty [
%]
238U gamma lines
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Uranium decay
Gamma ray emitting daughters of uranium
214Bi 212Pb
1764.4 keV 351.9 keV
Low efficiency High efficiency
High resolution Low resolution
15.4% Intensity 35.8% Intensity
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Method1. Sampling- More than a 100 samples - Polypropylene pill containers of 100 ml - Sample mass ranging from 0.110 kg to 0.180 kg.
2. Measuring System- NaI(Tl) detector (7.62 x 7.62 cm) coupled to a scintiSPEC MCA - Surrounded by 15 cm thick lead shielding
3. Calibration and measurements- Efficiency calibration was done with 40K, 238U and 232Th reference materials. - Energy calibration was done from 0.3 to 2.7 MeV.
4. Region of Interest (ROI)- Four counting windows or ROI were selected.- Equation of Rybach (1971, 1988) was adapted for four regions
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Net count rate in the ROI:
3
1,,,
njnniji AeR
The net count rate Ri,j:
bij
jiji R
t
NR ,
,,
Linear system of i x n (4 x 3) simultaneous equations
Method
ROI’s is i = 0, 1, 2, and 3 (351.3 keV, 1460.8 keV, 1764.5 keV and 2614.5 keV Calibration standards is j = 1, 2 and 3 of 40K, 238U and 232Th.
The isotopes n = 1, 2 and 3 of 40K, 238U and 232Th.
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A Typical Laboratory Gamma Ray Spectrum
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200 2400 2600 2800
214Pb (351.3 keV)
40K (1460.8 keV)
214Bi (1764.5 keV)
208Tl (2614.5 keV)
Energy (keV)
Cou
nts
Method
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Solved efficiencies
1,1
1,01,0 A
Re
1,1
1,11,1 A
Re
2,2
2,02,0 A
Re
2,2
2,12,1 A
Re
2,2
2,22,2 A
Re
3,3
3,22,2
2,03,0
3,0 A
AA
RR
e
3,3
3,22,2
2,13,1
3,1 A
AA
RR
e
3,3
3,23,2
2,03,2
3,2 A
AA
RR
e
2,2
2,32,3 A
Re
3,3
3,22,2
2,33,3
3,3 A
AA
RR
e
Method
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Measuring uncertainties
21
,
,
1
ss
bnn
nnA tm
RR
en
Detection limits
21
,
,
22
ss
bn
nnn tm
R
eL
ThUKU AeAeAeR 3,0'2,01,0'
ThUKK AeAeAeR 3,12,11,1
ThUU AeAeR 3,22,2
ThUTh AeAeR 3,33,2
Solve AU’, AK, AU and ATh
Method
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0.0
50.0
100.0
150.0
200.0
250.0
0.0 50.0 100.0 150.0 200.0 250.0
Uranium activity from ROI 2 [Bq/kg]
Ura
niu
m a
cti
vit
y f
rom
RO
I 0
[B
q/k
g]
Results212Pb peak vs. 214Bi peak
R2 = 0.9789
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Results
Coefficient of correlation: 0.9789
Average Statistically uncertainties: 214Pb => 7.1 Bq/kg 214Bi => 4.4 Bq/kg
The natural background less than 3 counts/second.
Average detection limits: 214Pb => 9.6 Bq/kg 214Bi => 36.8 Bq/kg
Samples within detection limits: 214Pb => 76.6%214Bi => 31.2%
214Pb peak results in shorter acquisition or more accurate uranium concentration
212Pb peak vs. 214Bi peak
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Future
- In Situ measurements- Fossil areas- 234Pa measurements- 232Th measurements
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γ-emitters
Uranium decay
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Baviaansberg
Palaeoshoreline