Assessment of the calibration of gamma spectrometry systems in forest environments. (January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cresswell, Alan J.; Sanderson, David C.W.; Yamaguchi, Katsuhiko
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental radioactivity. Volume 181(2018)
• Page Start: 70
• Page End: 77
• Publication Date: 2018-01
• Subjects: Portable gamma spectrometry -- Monte Carlo simulation -- Forest environments; Radioactivity -- Periodicals; Radiation, Background -- Periodicals; Radioecology -- Periodicals; Radioactive pollution -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollutants -- Periodicals; Radioactive Pollutants -- Periodicals; Radioactivity -- Periodicals; Radioécologie -- Périodiques; Pollution radioactive -- Périodiques; Fond de rayonnement -- Périodiques; 539.752
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.10.019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0265-931X

Abstract

Abstract: A Monte Carlo simulation was used to develop a model of the response of a portable gamma spectrometry system in forest environments. This model was used to evaluate any corrections needed to measurements of 137 Cs activity per unit area calibrated assuming an open field geometry. These were shown to be less than 20% for most forest environments. The model was also used to assess the impact of activity in the canopy on ground level measurements. For similar activity per unit area in the lower parts of the canopy as on the ground, 10-25% of the ground based measurement would be due to activity in the canopy, depending on the depth profile in the soil. The model verifies that an optional collimator cap can assess activity in the canopy by repeat survey. Highlights: Monte Carlo simulation of detector interactions for portable gamma spectrometry. Application to simulation of generic forest environments. Estimation of effect of forest on calibration assuming an open field geometry. Estimation of detection of radiation from the forest canopy. Validation of model using laboratory and field measurements.