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A comparison of methods for the determination of the dating-nuclides210Pb and226Ra

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Abstract

Lead-210 is often used to date recent (≤100 y) environmental samples. Three different methods for its determination are compared:210Pb β-counting with a low level proportional counter,210Pb γ-spectroscopy and210Po α-spectroscopy. Agreement within analytical errors was found for the three methods in two sediment cores from Lake Zurich, Switzerland and in IAEA SD-A-1 deep sea reference material. For210Po α-spectroscopy, the detection and determination limit is an order of magnitude lower than these for the other methods. Methods for the determination of226Ra are also discussed. Measurements on low level proportional counters are difficult to interpret and not suitable for routine work. A better way to measure226Ra is σ-spectroscopy of colloidal Ba(Ra)SO4.

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  1. Laboratorium für Radiochemie, Universität Bern, Freiestrasse 3, CH-3000, Bern 9, (Switzerland)

    R. N. Moser

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  1. R. N. Moser
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Moser, R.N. A comparison of methods for the determination of the dating-nuclides210Pb and226Ra. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Articles 173, 283–292 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02043030

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