Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 11, 2026
12:22
Speciation and Bioavailability Measurements of Environmental Plutonium Using Diffusion in Thin Films
Published on: November 9, 2015
11.9K
A method for determining Am-241 activity for large area contamination.
Emilien Wilhelm1, Nicolas Arbor2, Sébastien Gutierrez1
1CEA DAM Ile de France, Bruyères-le-Châtel, 91297 Arpajon, France.
Summary
A new airborne gamma-ray spectrometry method improves detection of low-energy Am-241. This technique lowers detection thresholds for environmental monitoring, showing good agreement with ground measurements.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Nuclear Physics
- Spectrometry
Background:
- Airborne gamma-ray spectrometry (AGS) is established for high-energy emitters.
- Its application for low-energy emitters like Americium-241 (Am-241) is less common.
- Accurate Am-241 activity assessment is crucial for environmental radiation monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel method for determining Am-241 activity using AGS.
- To enhance the detection capabilities of AGS for low-energy gamma emitters.
- To assess Am-241 activity over extended geographical sites.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the HELINUC™ airborne gamma-ray spectrometry system.
- Developed a new method combining statistical spectral analysis and signal deconvolution.
- Employed a reference library for Am-241 signal deconvolution.
- Validated results against ground-level measurements.
Main Results:
- Successfully determined Am-241 activity over extended sites.
- Achieved a significant lowering of the detection threshold for Am-241.
- Demonstrated good agreement between airborne and ground-level measurements.
- The new method proved effective for low-energy emitter assessment.
Conclusions:
- The presented method enhances AGS capabilities for low-energy emitters.
- It offers a reliable approach for mapping Am-241 distribution.
- This advancement improves environmental radiation assessment accuracy.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:21Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Lab
1.2K
For AAS measurements, samples must be introduced as clear solutions, often requiring extensive preliminary treatment to dissolve materials like soils, animal tissues, and minerals. Common methods for sample preparation include treatment with hot mineral acids, wet ashing, combustion in closed containers, high-temperature ashing, or fusion with reagents.
Solutions containing organic solvents, such as low-molecular-mass alcohols, esters, or ketones, enhance absorbances by increasing...
Solutions containing organic solvents, such as low-molecular-mass alcohols, esters, or ketones, enhance absorbances by increasing...
1.2K
02:48Radioactive Decay and Radiometric Dating
39.2K
Radioactivity is a spontaneous disintegration of an unstable nuclide and is a random process, as all the nuclei in the sample do not decay simultaneously. The number of disintegrations per unit time is called the activity (A), which is directly proportional to the number of nuclei in the sample. The decay constant (λ) is an average probability of decay per nucleus in unit time.
39.2K