A large buoy-based radioactivity monitoring system for gamma-ray emitters in surface seawater. (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Byun, Jong-In; Choi, Seok-Won; Song, Myeong-Han; Chang, Byung-Uck; Kim, Yong-Jae; Yun, Ju-Yong
• Is Part Of: Applied radiation and isotopes. Volume 162(2020:Aug.)
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: Seawater -- Radioactivity -- Gamma-ray spectrometry -- Real-time -- Buoy -- MDA; Radiology -- Periodicals; Radiation -- Industrial applications -- Periodicals; Nuclear chemistry -- Periodicals; Internet resource; Periodical; 660.298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2020.109172
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0969-8043

Abstract

Abstract: A buoy (shallow water light type) -based in situ gamma-ray spectrometry system with a 7.6 cmØ × 7.6 cm NaI(Tl) detector for remote real-time monitoring of gamma-ray emitting radionuclides in surface seawater is presented. To convert measured count rates to radioactivity, the full energy peak efficiency of the detector for radionuclides in seawater was estimated using Monte Carlo simulation with the MCNP code. The efficiency calibration was validated by comparing the results with a sampling analysis of 40 K in seawater at the sites where the monitoring systems were deployed. The minimum detectable activity of the system for 137 Cs, 134 Cs and 131 I with gamma-ray measurement time is discussed. Highlights: A gamma-ray emitting radionuclide monitoring system with a large size buoy was established in a marine environment. The detection efficiency of this system was evaluated using a Monte Carlo simulation with the MCNP code. The minimum detectable activity of this system for 131 I, 134 Cs and 137 Cs was estimated with the gamma-ray measurement time.