Performance testing and comparative study of natural radioactivity in soil samples using high purity germanium (HPGe) detector

Abstract

High Purity germanium (HPGe) detectors are found to be suitable for nuclear techniques for measuring radionuclides with very good energy resolution. Inter-comparison exercise is an important tool for external quality control that enables determination of the accuracy and uncertainty of detector measurement system. In this work, a comparative study of natural radioactivity in soil samples was conducted between the laboratory of Autorité nationale de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (ARSN), Burkina Faso and the laboratory of Radiation Protection Institute of Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (RPI-GAEC),Ghana to ascertain the reliability and accuracy of measurements made in Burkina Faso. For this purpose: Some replicate soil samples, assumed as proficiency test samples, were analyzed on both the High Purity Germanium detector of ARSN and RPI. The statistical performance indicators of z-score, precision, trueness and relative bias were used for the evaluation. The limit for acceptable precision and the maximum acceptable bias for all the radionuclides were set to 20% and 15% respectively.

Physicochemical properties and radiological hazards evaluations of some inorganic materials used in soilless agriculture

“…The pH value is the highest for TT2 and it is the lowest for TT8. The pH value of TT1 is higher than in previous studies because the pH value of perlite varies between 7.7 and 8.53 F I G U R E 2 Variations of activity concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th, 40 K and 137 Cs for some inorganic materials used in soilless agriculture.…”

“…24 Furthermore, gamma-ray spectrometry was used to determine the radiological properties of the inorganic materials used in soilless agriculture activity. 40 K, respectively, reported in the scientific report. 45 The activity concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K for inorganic materials were compared from the previous studies as shown in Table 6.…”

“…40 K, respectively, reported in the scientific report. 45 The activity concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K for inorganic materials were compared from the previous studies as shown in Table 6.…”

“…Activity concentrations A ð Þ (Bq kg À1 Þ of the natural and artificial radionuclides were acquired using well-known following Equation (1) 40,41 :…”

Evaluation of HPGe Detector Long Term Performance for Environmental Radioactivity Measurements

“…A nondestructive technology for determining the particular radioactivity concentration of natural and manufactured radionuclides is the high purity germanium detector (HPGe). The precision of the measurement is determined by the HPGe detector's performance parameters [1]. Laboratory circumstances, equipment, standards, and sample matrixes all influence performance [2].…”