Modeling Background Radiation in our Environment Using Geochemical Data
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Uniiversity of Nevada, Las Vegas
Radiation occurs naturally in bedrock and soil. Gamma rays are released from the decay of the radioactive isotopes K, U, and Th. Gamma rays observed at the surface come from the first 30 cm of rock and soil. The energy of gamma rays is specific to each isotope, allowing identification. For this research, data was collected from national databases, private companies, scientific literature, and field work. Data points were then evaluated for self-consistency. A model was created by converting concentrations of U, K, and Th for each rock and soil unit into a ground exposure rate using the following equation: D=1.32 K+ 0.548 U+ 0.272 Th. The first objective of this research was to compare the original Aerial Measurement System gamma ray survey to results produced by the model. The second objective was to improve the method and learn the constraints of the model. Future work will include sample data analysis from field work with a goal of improving the geochemical model.
- Research Organization:
- Nevada Test Site (NTS), Mercury, NV (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC52-06NA25946
- OSTI ID:
- 1233287
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/NV/25946-2304
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Poster presented to graduate students in physics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and subsequently at the HiPSEC NNSA annual review. The reviewers were from national labs and DOE/NNSA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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