Radiation Attenuation Processes: the Role of Clay Porous Media

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine different radiation interaction parameters in clay soils, given the scarcity of works approaching this type of soil and its aggregation ability, which directly affects radiation attenuation. The parameters were theoretically determined through elemental analysis. The results showed that the parameters that presented a better distinction between soils were the effective atomic number (Zeff) and the molecular cross-section (σM). The Zeff, as well as the mass attenuation coefficient (μ/ρ) plus the atomic (σA) and the electronic (σE) cross-sections, presented strong positive correlations and direct relation with the soil Fe2O3 content. The σM, in turn, showed a negative correlation with the iron oxide content while presenting a strong positive correlation with the molecular weight of each soil constituent. Finally, the radiation interaction parameter set proposed in this study enabled the characterization of the soils regarding their chemical composition, even in soils with the same texture.