Monte Carlo simulations of the gamma-ray exposure rates of common rocks

Haber, Daniel A.; Malchow, Russell L.; Burnley, Pamela C.

doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.11.013

Title: Monte Carlo simulations of the gamma-ray exposure rates of common rocks

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Abstract

Monte Carlo simulations have been performed to model the gamma ray emission and attenuation properties of common rocks. In geologic materials, ⁴⁰K, ²³⁸U, and ²³²Th are responsible for most gamma ray production. If the concentration of these radioelements and attenuation factors such as degree of water saturation are known, an estimate of the gamma-ray exposure rate can be made. The results show that there are no significant differences in gamma-ray screening between major rock types. If the total number of radionuclide atoms are held constant then the major controlling factor is density of the rock. Lastly, the thickness of regolith or soil overlying rock can be estimated by modeling the exposure rate if the radionuclide contents of both materials are known.

Authors:

; Malchow, Russell L.;

Publication Date:: Wed Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 2017

Research Org.:: Board of Regents Nevada System of Higher Education, Las Vegas, NV (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

OSTI Identifier:: 1333431

Alternate Identifier(s):: OSTI ID: 1422207

Grant/Contract Number:: NA0001982

Resource Type:: Published Article

Journal Name:: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity

Additional Journal Information:: Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity Journal Volume: 167 Journal Issue: C; Journal ID: ISSN 0265-931X

Publisher:: Elsevier

Country of Publication:: United Kingdom

Language:: English

Subject:: 58 GEOSCIENCES; 46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; Exposure rate coefficients; Geology; Naturally occurring radionuclides; Aerial gamma ray survey

Citation Formats


                    Haber, Daniel A., Malchow, Russell L., and Burnley, Pamela C. Monte Carlo simulations of the gamma-ray exposure rates of common rocks.  United Kingdom: N. p., 2017. 
Web.  doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.11.013.

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                    Haber, Daniel A., Malchow, Russell L., & Burnley, Pamela C. Monte Carlo simulations of the gamma-ray exposure rates of common rocks.  United Kingdom.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.11.013

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                    Haber, Daniel A., Malchow, Russell L., and Burnley, Pamela C. Wed .  
"Monte Carlo simulations of the gamma-ray exposure rates of common rocks".  United Kingdom.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.11.013.

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@article{osti_1333431,

  title        = {Monte Carlo simulations of the gamma-ray exposure rates of common rocks},

  author       = {Haber, Daniel A. and Malchow, Russell L. and Burnley, Pamela C.},

  abstractNote = {Monte Carlo simulations have been performed to model the gamma ray emission and attenuation properties of common rocks. In geologic materials, 40K, 238U, and 232Th are responsible for most gamma ray production. If the concentration of these radioelements and attenuation factors such as degree of water saturation are known, an estimate of the gamma-ray exposure rate can be made. The results show that there are no significant differences in gamma-ray screening between major rock types. If the total number of radionuclide atoms are held constant then the major controlling factor is density of the rock. Lastly, the thickness of regolith or soil overlying rock can be estimated by modeling the exposure rate if the radionuclide contents of both materials are known.},

  doi          = {10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.11.013},

  journal      = {Journal of Environmental Radioactivity},

  number       = C,

  volume       = 167,

  place        = {United Kingdom},

  year         = {Wed Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 2017},

  month        = {Wed Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 2017}

}

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