Spectrum Quantification of Radium Isotopes in Hydraulic Fracturing Wastes

Abstract

Exploration of oil and natural gas from shale deposits can bring to the surface radioactivity. Naturally occurring Uranium-238 and Thorium-232 as part of their decay chains can produce radium isotopes, which are themselves precursors of radon gas. Due to the solubility of radium and its contaminated impact on the environments and health concerns, regulations on the levels of Ra226 and Ra228 in processed wastes have been enforced. Gamma spectroscopy is a methodology used to qualitatively identify these radium isotopes, but to quantitatively analyze the activity concentrations requires appropriate calibration procedures and energy peak selections.