QUANTITATIVE MEASUREMENT OF GAMMA-RAY-EMITTING RADIONUCLIDES IN METEORITES

Technical Report · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1962

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4706873· OSTI ID:4706873

Rowe, M W

The gamma spectra of 32 samples of 25 chondrites, 4 carbonaceous chondrites, and 9 achondrites were investigated using a large NaI (Tl) scintillation spectrometer. Potassium and Al were the predominant radioactivities measured. More unusual gamma emitters measured were 291-day Mn/ sup 54/, 2.6-year Na/sup 22/, and probably a mixture of Sc/sup 46/ and Co/sup 56+58/ (half lives approximately 80 days); these nuclides were detected in relatively recent falls (the youngest, the Harleton, Texas, chondrite, was measured 21 days after fall). Furthermore, thorium was detected and measured in 5 of the 9 achondrites. Of the 6 siderites studied, only Aroos and Siknote-Alin showed detectable gamma radioactivity. In Aroos, measured 120 days after fall, Mn/sup 54/ was the predominant radioactivity; Co/sup 60/ was the only radioactivity measured in the 4 samples of Siknote-Alin. In the other 4 old siderites, with a limit of detection of about 10 gammas/min/kg, no gamma-ray activity in the energy range 0.2 to 2 Mev was detectable. Quantitative data on radioactive concentration are presented. (auth)

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., N. Mex.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• NSA Number: NSA-17-012452
• OSTI ID: 4706873
• Report Number(s): LA-2765
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ACHONDRITES
ALUMINUM 26
COBALT 56
COBALT 58
COBALT 60
CRYSTALS
ENERGY RANGE
GAMMA RADIATION
GAMMA SPECTROMETERS
GEOLOGY, MINERALOGY, AND METEOROLOGY
HALF-LIFE
IMPURITIES
IRON CARBONATES
MANGANESE 54
MEASURED VALUES
METEORITES
POTASSIUM
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
RADIOACTIVITY
SCANDIUM 46
SCINTILLATION COUNTERS
SIDERITE
SODIUM 22
SODIUM IODIDES
SPECTRA
THALLIUM
THORIUM