The activity of two liquid mixed radionuclide sources in NPL'S standard glass ampoules were determined by gamma-ray spectrometry measurement using a standard point source placed at 38.5 cm axially above the detector. A radio nuclide 137Cs was chosen, Results obtained were within 3% agreement with the calculated value. The same degree of deviation was obtained when the NPL standard source of equal geometry, chemical composition and density was used.
Keaktifan dua sumber radionuklid campuran cecair yang terkandung dalam bekas kaca piawai NPL ditentukan dengan kaedah pengukuran spektrometri sinar-gama menggunakan satu sumber titik piawai diletakkan pada 38.5 em di atas pengesan, Satu sumber radionuklid 137Cs dipilih. Keputusan yang diperoleh bersetuju dalam lingkungan 3% dengan nilai yang dikira. Darjah simpangan yang sama diperoleh apabila sumber piawai NPL yang sama dari segi geometri, komposisi kimia dan ketumpatan digunakan,
New, detailed measurements have been made of the photon spectrum of the radionuclide 241Am. Observations, recorded for a 95% confidence level over local background, provide affirmation of a number of lines previously considered to be of equivocal existence. A number of hitherto unreported emissions are similarly observed. Peak areas, expressed as a percentage of that for the 59.54 keV emission, have been ascribed to all lines of the detailed spectrum. This leads to an estimated increase in the value of exposure calculated from the measured fluence spectrum, relative to that from the 59.54 keV line, of (3.1 +/- 0.8)%, taking into account all emissions beyond the predominating 59.54 keV gamma-ray emission.
The main component of most building materials in Malaysia is rocks. These rocks have been found to naturally contain U-238, Th-232 and K-40. In order to estimate the radiological impact to the dweller, the level of radionuclides present in various building materials available in Malaysia were analyzed using gamma spectrometry. The radiation hazard indexes were calculated based on the above results. The results showed that the activity concentration of natural radionuclides U-238, Th-232, K-40 were between 19.0 Bq/kg – 42.2 Bq/kg, 16.5 Bq/kg –28.8 Bq/kg and 243.3 Bq/kg – 614.2 Bq/kg respectively. On the whole the radionuclides concentrations were still below the global average of 50 Bq/kg, 50 Bq/kg and 500 Bq/kg for U-238, Th-232 and K-40 respectively. The radiation hazard indexes of the building materials were also lower than the maximum value suggested.
The concentrations of 137Cs and 134Cs in Malaysian marine sediments were measured by gamma-ray spectrometry with a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector connected to a multichannel analyzer. In general, the 137Cs concentration in Malaysian marine sediments has been found to be very low and less than 5 Bq/kg dry weight with the exception of those from a few sampling locations. The concentration of 134Cs was found to be less than the minimum detectable activity for the measuring condition used. Data reported in this paper were found to be comparable with results from within the region and thus can be used as reference data for the country.
The excitation functions were measured for the (nat)Cu(α,x)(66,67)Ga,(65)Zn,(57,58,60)Co reactions in the energy range of 16.5 -50MeV. A conventional stacked-foil activation technique combined with HPGe γ-ray spectrometry was employed to determine cross-sections. The measured cross-sections were critically compared with relevant previous experimental data and also with the evaluated data in the TENDL-2014 library. Present results confirmed some of the previous experimental data, whereas only a partial agreement was found with the evaluated data. The measured data are useful for reducing the existing discrepancies in the literature, to improve the nuclear reaction model codes, and to enrich the experimental database towards various applications.
Effect of washing solutions’ pH on removal of radium-226 from radium-contaminated soil using distilled water and humic acid extracted from Malaysian peat soil was studied by a single batch washing method. The study encompassed the extraction of humic acid and the washing of radium-contaminated soil using distilled water and humic acid solutions of varying pH in the range between 3 to 11. Activity of radium-226 was determined by gamma spectrometer. In the pH range studied, the removal of radium-226 was greater when humic acid solutions were used compared to distilled water. Greater removal of radium-226 was obtained using highly basic pH washing solutions compared to neutral and acidic solutions.
The effect of sample density in the determination of radionuclides by gamma spectrometry was studied using two multinuclide standard sources of different densities. The self absorption corrections due to differences in sample matrix densities were estimated. The corrections were used in the analysis food and soil samples having packing densities between 0.2 – 1.6g/ml.
Gamma Spectrometry Counting System requires similar counting geometries for the calibration source, reference material and samples. The objectives of this study were to find out the effects of the sample density on 137 Cs activities measurement and propose reasonable corrections. Studies found that the activity of the samples is decreasing when the density of samples increased. Therefore, in order to have a more accurate estimation of samples activities; density corrections should be done either by performs mathematical corrections using equation or by increasing the expanded uncertainty when sample densities deviated from calibration source.
We studied the excitation functions of residual radionuclides produced via proton and deuteron bombardment on natural iridium in the energy ranges of 30-15 MeV and 50-15 MeV, respectively. A conventional stacked-foil activation technique combined with HPGe γ-ray spectrometry was used to measure the excitation functions for 189, 191Pt and 189, 190g, 192g, 194gIr radionuclide production. Theoretical thick target yields were estimated to be 172 MBq/µA h and 192 MBq/µA h via the 193Ir(p,3n)191Pt reaction at 29.6-17.5 MeV and the 193Ir(d,4n)191Pt reaction at 40.3-23.8 MeV, respectively. The feasibility of 191Pt production from an iridium target was discussed, and compared with previously reported methods for the production of 191Pt.
Concentration of Ra-226 and Ra-228 activities in water and sediment samples were measured using the Liquid Scintillation Counter (LSC) and High Purity Germanium Gamma Spectrometry (HPGe). respectively. Concentrations of Ra-226 activity in sediment samples range from 18.93 Bg/ kg to 236.06 Bq/kg and for Ra-228 activity range from 12.59 Bg/kg to 410.60 Bq/kg. Meanwhile, concentrations of Ra-226 activity obtained in water samples range from 0.064 Bg/L to 0.199 Bq/L. These data indicate, that the distribution of Ra-228 and Ra-226 in the study area were varied from one sampling stations to another and is probably related to the contents of suspended particles.
Penentuan kepekatan aktiviti Ra-226 dan Ra-228 dalam sampel air dan sedimen dilakukan masing-masing dengan Pembilang Sintilasi Cecair (LSC) dan Spektrometri Gamma Germanium Lampau Tulen (HPGe). Kepekatan aktiviti Ra-226 dalam sampel sedimen adalah berjulat dari 18.93 Bg/kg hingga 236.06 Bq/kg dan kepekatan aktiviti Ra-228 berjulat dari 12.59 Bg/kg hingga 410.60 Bq/kg. Kepekatan aktiviti Ra-226 dalam sampel air yang diperolehi pula berjulat dari 0.064 Bg/L hingga 0.199 Bq/L. Ini menunjukkan taburan Ra-228 dan Ra-226 di kawasan kajian adalah berubah mengikut lokasi kajian dan berkemungkinan dipengaruhi oleh sifat kandungan bahan terampai.
This note describes a method for the determination of the peak-to-total ratio, P/T versus gamma-ray energy of range 59.54-1836.03 keV of a HPGe detector. Results show that this ratio decreases with energy. To check the validity of these results, two approaches of results comparison, namely with the ratio reported by Cesana and Terrani in year 1989 and with the shape of total efficiency reported by Debertin and Helmer in year 1988 were taken. lt is shown that this method gives satisfactory results since the obtained values of P/T and the shape of the total efficiency curve were in good agreement with the reported works. The precautional step that need to be taken when dealing with energy 59.54 keV 241Am source and the reason for taking the total efficiency as the evaluation tool are given.
The most commonly used techniques of alpha and gamma spectrometry were performed to measure
210Pb activity in marine sediment core as a comparison. Alpha analytical technique measured the
activity of 210Pb from it’s in-grow grand-daughter 210Po after a chemical separation, assuming
radioactive equilibrium between the two radionuclides. Meanwhile, gamma analysis technique
allows direct measurement, non-destructive and no preliminary chemical separation. Through the
comparison, it is found that both alpha and gamma analysis techniques were slightly difference.
Overall, the results from alpha analytical technique were basically higher than those from the
gamma analytical techniques. Some logical argument had been discussed to explain this situation.
In routine analysis, the analytical technique used should be chosen carefully based on advantages
and disadvantages of the each technique and analysis requirements. Therefore, it is recommended to
determine exactly the needs and purpose of analysis and to know the sample history before decide
the appropriate analytical technique
IAEA Soil-6 is a reference material with a certified value for 226Ra fall between 69.6 – 93.4 Bq/kg at 95% confidence level. This material has been used as a sample and performed repeat measurement weekly between years 2006 – 2009 using a same gamma spectrometry system. The activity concentration of this material is calculated automatically using the operational commercial software and compared with activity obtained from the manual calculation. Study found that only 76.9%, 64.1%, 56.3%, and 79.3% of the results from the software calculation lie within the confidence level for year 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. However, u-score calculation revealed that 94.9 %, 89.7%, 79.2% and 84.9% data set have no significant bias (u < 2.58) for year 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. On the other hand, all manual calculation data were found to be within the 95 % confidence level. Factors suspected to cause differences between these two approaches were discussed here. Manually peak search, marking and calculation still remains as the preferred option for calculating the gamma radionuclides activity unless limitations of the spectrum analysis software, as described in this paper can be resolved/improved upon.
A systematic study to assess the concentration of radionuclides in primary coolant and associated water samples from the operation of a TRIGA Mark II reactor has been carried out. The samples were transferred into appropriate counting container and were counted by efficiency-calibrated gamma spectrometer systems for several hours to obtain statistically adequate data for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the radioactive materials presence. The primary coolant was found to contain various gamma emitting radionuclides including 24Na, 41Ar, 42K, 51Cr, , 54Mn, 56Mn, 60Co, 99mTc, 122Sb, 124Sb and 187W. Most of the detected radionuclides were inferred to be originated from activation products of (n,) nuclear reactions of elements of reactor components such as stainless steel and aluminium alloy used in the reactor system. The study confirms the integrity of the reactor system with no apparent release of any fission products radionuclide into the coolant water system.
A trial study had been conducted to determine the particulate form of 137 Cs in seawater surrounding East Malaysia. Large volume of seawater was filtered at a flow rate of 15 liters/min through the copper hexacyanoferrates (II) impregnated filters. These filters were ashed and counted using the gamma spectrometry system to determine the dissolved 137 Cs activity. It was found that the particulate form of 137 Cs consists of 20 to 49 % of the total 137 Cs activity concentrations. Some reasonable explanations for higher particulate percentage such as sampling locations, high water flow-rate, and large volume of seawaters were further discussed. It is hope that the result of this study will help to build a better understanding about the usage of impregnated filters to study dissolved 137 Cs activity concentrations.
Effect of AP+, Ca", Cu" and Fe" on the removal of radium-226 from radium-contaminated soil using humic acid extracted from a Malaysian peat soil was investigated using batch washing method. The concentration of Al,+ Ca", Cu" and Fe" ranged from 0 to 100 ppm. The radioactivity concentration of radium-226 was determined by gamma spectrometer. The removal of radium-226 was enhanced in the presence of AP' with concentration between 20 - 60 ppm. Meanwhile, higher concentration of 80 - 100 ppm did not lead to further increase in the removal of radium-226. The removal of radium-226 was decreased in the presence of Ca" and Cu". In the presence of Fe" with concentration between 20 - 60 ppm, decrease in the removal of radium-226 was also observed. Nevertheless, at concentration between 80 - 100 ppm, the presence of Fe" led to increase in the removal of radium-226.
The existence of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) such as K-40 was studied all over the world for their characteristics and effects on human and environment. K-40 exist in the earth crust with the concentration about 1.8 mg/kg or 481 Bq/g.. In this study, the level of K-40 in soil samples were measured using gamma spectrometer equipped with hyper pure germanium detector. The samples were collected from an oil palm cultivated area of Jengka 15, in Maran District, Pahang. The results show the level of K-40 activities at various locations. The activities of K-40 are in the range 52.9-150.5 Bq/kg and total potassium concentrations are 1.60-4.50%. There are no correlation between activities of K-40 with elevation i.e. R2= 0.0885.
The interference of 235 U on 226 Ra concentration measured directly using the γ-ray energy of 186 keV and the interference of 228 Ac on the 40 K analysis by gamma-spectrometry system were highlighted and discussed. The interference of 235 U was demonstrated to be very significant, i.e. 45% of the 226 Ra concentration measured directly at 186 keV in natural samples containing uranium series in equilibrium. The interference of 228 Ac on 40 K concentration was particularly significant for samples containing high concentration of 228 Ac ( 228 Ra) such as radioactive minerals. Another important aspect discussed is the assignment of the right emission probability of the 583 keV and 2614 keV of the 208 Tl for the purpose of estimating the concentration of 232 Th or other radionuclides in the thorium series. Extra cautions are required in the interpretation of the measured 208 Tl concentration in samples of various natures. It is suggested that the emission probability used for 208 Tl be reported for comparison and verification.
Thirteen solid waste samples labeled as scales were collected from a storage area of a crude oil production industry and were analysed for radionuclides concentrations. The radium-226 and radium- 228 concentrations were found to be unexpectedly low, i.e. less than 20 Bqkg. However, six samples were found to contain 7 to 2240 Bq/kg 60 Co. Thus, besides naturally occurring radionuclides, there is a possibility to find artificial radionuclides in solid wastes from crude oil production industry.
A study to determine whether Radiological Impact Assessment (RIA) is needed for landfill disposal of treated sludge (slag) from oil and gas industries has been carried out. Radioactivity level of slag and soil samples have been measured using gamma spectrometry system and its Total Activity Concentration (TAC) has been calculated. It was found that TAC (inclusive background) was within the control limit set by the AELB i.e. 3 Bq/g as stipulated in LEM/TEK 58 (AELB, 2009). Therefore, as a result from this study, RIA is not required and the allocated area can be used for the landfill disposal of treated sludge (slag).