Rapid monitoring of soil, smears, and air dusts by direct large-area alpha spectrometry

Technical Report · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10139168· OSTI ID:10139168

Sill, C W

Experimental conditions to permit rapid monitoring of soils, smears, and air dusts for transuranic (TRU) radionuclides under field conditions are described. The monitoring technique involves direct measurement of alpha emitters by alpha spectrometry using a large-area detector to identify and quantify the radionuclides present. The direct alpha spectrometry employs a circular gridded ionization chamber 35 cm in diameter which accommodates either a circular sample holder 25 cm in diameter or a rectangular one 20 by 25 cm (8 by 10 in.). Soils or settled dusts are finely ground, suspended in 30% ethanol, and sprayed onto a 25-cm stainless steel dish. Air dusts are collected with a high-volume sampler onto 20- by 25-cm membrane filters. Removable contamination is collected from surfaces onto a 20- by 25-cm filter using an 18-cm (7-in.) paint roller to hold the large filter in contact with the surface during sample collection. All three types of samples are then counted directly in the alpha spectrometer and no other sample preparation is necessary. Some results obtained are described.

• Research Organization: EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-76ID01570
• OSTI ID: 10139168
• Report Number(s): EGG-WTD--10080; ON: DE92012528
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

440103
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540130
540230
COUNTING TECHNIQUES
DUSTS
GAMMA SPECTROMETERS
LIMITING VALUES
NUCLEAR SPECTROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTATION
RADIATION MONITORING
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS MONITORING AND TRANSPORT
RADIOISOTOPES
SAMPLE PREPARATION
SAMPLING
SOILS