Abstract
The effect of interference and disequilibrium was evaluated in analyzing 238U and 232Th using gamma-ray spectrometry. The interference in 234Th as an indicator of 238U was considerably increased according to the activity level of 232Th compared with that of 238U. However, its correction was necessary to assume that the secular equilibrium in the thorium decay series must be secured in the material. In addition, the disequilibrium in the decay series can be easily shown in the chemical process for manufacturing materials. This makes the limitation in the indirect measurement of natural radionuclides using gamma-ray spectrometry, especially in chemically processed products.
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Acknowledgments
This study was supported by the Nuclear Safety Research Program through the Korea Radiation Safety Foundation (KORSAFe) and the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC), Republic of Korea (Grant No. 1305010-0315-SB120).
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Ji, YY., Lim, JM., Kim, H. et al. Limitations of gamma-ray spectrometry in the quantification of 238U and 232Th in raw materials and by-products. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 311, 1163–1168 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-016-4978-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-016-4978-z