In situ x-ray fluorescence and californium-252 neutron activation analysis for marine and terrestrial mineral exploration

Conference · Wed Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:7300813

Wogman, N A

Instrumentation has been designed for in situ analysis of marine and terrestrial minerals using the techniques of x-ray fluorescence and neutron activation analysis. The energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence analyzer allows more than 20 elements to be quantitatively measured at the 10 ppM level in water depths to 300 m. The analyzer consists of a solid cryogen-cooled Si(Li) detector, a 50 mCi /sup 109/Cd or /sup 57/Co excitation source, and an analyzer-computer system for data storage and manipulation. The neutron activation analysis, which is designed to measure up to 30 elements at parts per hundred to ppM levels, utilizes the man-made element /sup 252/Cf as its neutron activation source. The resulting radioelements which emit characteristic gamma radiation are then analyzed in situ during 2- to 200-s counting intervals with Ge(Li) or NaI(T1) detector systems. An extension of this latter technique, which uses a /sup 252/Cf-/sup 235/U fueled subcritical multiplier, is also being studied. The subcritical facility allows the neutrons from the /sup 252/Cf source to be multiplied, thus providing greater neutron flux. Details of these in situ analysis systems, actual in situ spectra, and recorded data are discussed with respect to the detection of minerals at their varying concentration levels. The system response of each illustrates its usefulness for various rapid environmental mineral exploration studies. These techniques can be utilized on terrestrial surfaces and marine or fresh water sediments. 5 figures, 2 tables.

• Research Organization: Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-06-1830
• OSTI ID: 7300813
• Report Number(s): BNWL-SA-5926; CONF-770316-2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400101* -- Activation
Nuclear Reaction
Radiometric & Radiochemical Procedures
400103 -- Radiometric & Radiochemical Procedures-- (-1987)
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BARYON REACTIONS
CALIFORNIUM 252
CALIFORNIUM ISOTOPES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
EXPLORATION
GEOCHEMICAL SURVEYS
HADRON REACTIONS
HEAVY NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
MARINE SURVEYS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NEUTRON REACTIONS
NEUTRON SOURCES
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEI
NUCLEON REACTIONS
PARTICLE SOURCES
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
RADIATION SOURCES
RADIOISOTOPES
RESOURCES
SPECTRA
X-RAY EMISSION ANALYSIS
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES