Detecting ¹²⁷Xe in an atmospheric tracer experiment

Area of Science:

• Environmental monitoring
• Radiochemistry
• Atmospheric science

Background:

• The Xcounts algorithm previously quantified specific radioactive xenon isotopes.
• Accurate measurement of xenon isotopes is crucial for environmental and nuclear monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To extend the Xcounts algorithm for the detection of radioactive 127Xe.
• To validate the enhanced algorithm's performance in real-world atmospheric sampling.

Main Methods:

• The Xcounts algorithm was modified to include 127Xe quantification.
• Atmospheric samples were collected using a SAUNA QB system during a controlled tracer release experiment.
• The enhanced algorithm was applied to 119 collected air samples.

Main Results:

• The algorithm successfully identified 127Xe in two samples originating from a 1.5-hour release.
• The source of the detected 127Xe was approximately 3.5 km upwind of the sampling location.
• No false positive detections of 127Xe were recorded in the remaining samples.

Conclusions:

• The extended Xcounts algorithm is effective for detecting atmospheric 127Xe.
• The algorithm demonstrates high specificity, minimizing false detections in environmental samples.
• This advancement improves capabilities for tracking radioactive xenon isotopes in the atmosphere.