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Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Measurements of Soil Carbon by Neutron-Gamma Analysis in Static and Scanning Modes
Published on: August 24, 2017
Tagged neutron method for carbon analysis of large soil samples
Galina Yakubova1, Aleksandr Kavetskiy1, Stephen A Prior1
1USDA-ARS National Soil Dynamics Laboratory, 411 South Donahue Drive, Auburn, AL, 36832, USA.
Abstract:
Laboratory determination of carbon content in 30-50 kg soil samples is described. The method is based on the tagged neutron technique. Procedure for carbon determination in such samples was developed based on a physical model and Monte-Carlo simulations (Geant4) of neutron stimulated gamma spectra. Measurement results of samples with different density and moisture demonstrate good agreement with standard dry combustion analysis. Thus, this method can be recommended as an alternative for laboratory determination of carbon in 30-50 kg soil samples.
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