Validation of Gamma Ray spectrometry process used to determine the radionuclides and radioactivity levels in decorative Granite countertops.
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Date
2016
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University of the Western Cape
Abstract
Humans are continuously exposed to low level of ionizing radiation, sources include
soil, medical treatment and as well as radiation emissions from natural materials like
granite rocks. The radiation levels present in these granite rocks varies depending on
the mineral properties and their origins. The aim of this study is to assess the radiation
levels in various granite countertops available commercially in South Africa. The
radiation levels present in the granite countertop samples were determined using the
available low-background HPGe gamma-ray detector system at iThemba LABS. Initially,
the study focused on the optimisation of the photopeak efficiencies of the detector
system to match the samples, i.e. 'box-like' geometry as opposed to the traditionally
used Marinelli beaker geometry. A soil sample with known activity (238U series: 940
30 Bq/kg; 232Th series: 660 20 Bq/kg and 40K: 153 8 Bq/kg) determined with
Marinelli beaker geometry was used to prepare an artificial reference material for the
new box geometry.
Description
Magister Scientiae - MSc (Physics)