Measurements of Natural Radioactivity in Some Granite Samples Using Alpha Spectrometric Analysis

Abstract

Alpha spectrometry using pulse height analysis has been used for the determination of uranium concentrations in different environmental samples. The concentration of 238 U was measured by both destructive and non-destructive techniques with a detection limit of less than 1.8 mBq/kg. However, because of the extremely low 234 U concentrations in environmental samples, it was necessary to use a destructive technique to separate U from the sample matrices as well as remove interfering elements from the sample solution to determine 238 U/ 234 U ratio. In this study, the uranium was separated from the environmental samples using anion exchangers in (Dowex 1 × 8 Cl − form) and purified via co-precipitation with Lanthanum fluorides (LaF 3 ) and the alpha source prepared by electrodeposition. The results obtained were validated using some certified reference samples.