Scholten, Jan, Osvath, I and Pham, M. K. (2013) Ra-226 measurements through gamma spectrometric counting of radon progenies: How significant is the loss of radon?. Marine Chemistry, 156 . pp. 146-152. DOI 10.1016/j.marchem.2013.03.001.

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Abstract

Most determinations of 226 Ra are based on gamma spectrometric measurements of 226 Ra progenies 214 Pb and 214 Bi. This approach assumes radioactive equilibrium between these radionuclides which is normally achieved by sealing the sample containers so that the direct decay product of 226 Ra, 222 Rn, is not lost. We investigated to what extent 222 Rn is lost from various sample containers usually used for gamma spectrometric measurements and which have been sealed applying different techniques. The sample containers containing reference material with known amounts of 226 Ra were placed in an air-tight measurement chamber and we measured the 222 Rn accumulation over time in the chamber. Taking the leakage of the experimental set-up into account, we related the measured 222 Rn to the 226 Ra content of the reference material to calculate the 222 Rn loss from the sample containers. For most of the reference materials investigated the sealing techniques applied reduced the 222 Rn loss to <6%. We found that BaSO 4 sample matrix and plastic containers sealed with epoxy resin most effectively minimize the 222 Rn loss (<1%). For those sample matrixes like phosphogypsum and Mn-fibers, which are characterized by high emanation and diffusion of radon, sealing is very important to reduce the 222 Rn loss.

Document Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Times Cited: 0 Scholten, Jan C. Osvath, Iolanda Mai Khanh Pham Si
Keywords:	Gamma spectrometry, 226Ra, 222Rn loss, Sealing of sample containers
Research affiliation:	OceanRep > The Future Ocean - Cluster of Excellence OceanRep > The Future Ocean - Cluster of Excellence > FO-R06 Kiel University
Refereed:	Yes
Open Access Journal?:	No
Publisher:	Elsevier
Projects:	Future Ocean
Date Deposited:	08 Jul 2014 09:42
Last Modified:	23 Sep 2019 18:34
URI:	https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/25179

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