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An assessment of the selection criteria for an analytical method for radium-226 in environmental samples

  • Measurement and Distribution of Radon and Precursors
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Abstract

This paper examines the process of making a decision on the optimum technique for the measurement of low concentrations of226Ra in environmental materials. The available counting techniques are alpha spectrometry, high resolution gamma spectrometry and liquid scintillation counting. The properties of the analytical technique; sensitivity, lower limit of detection (LLD) and precision are considered. Method selection is also restricted by the available sample size and activity. The influence of procedure backgrounds, geometric efficiency, chemical recovery, counting time, sample size and activity on the precision and LLD are investigated. The process of method selection, applicable to a wide range of samples, is illustrated by reference to sediments, waters and tissues.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, 3052, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

    R. A. Tinker & J. D. Smith

  2. Australian Radiation Laboratory, 3085, Yallambie, Victoria, Australia

    M. B. Cooper

Authors
  1. R. A. Tinker
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  2. J. D. Smith
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  3. M. B. Cooper
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Tinker, R.A., Smith, J.D. & Cooper, M.B. An assessment of the selection criteria for an analytical method for radium-226 in environmental samples. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Articles 193, 329–336 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02039890

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02039890

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