[ RadSafe ] Soil gamma spec

[Peter Bossew]

241Am can regularly be found in soil. It is part of global fallout from 
atmospheric bomb testing, decay product of 241Pu. Activity conc. is 
currently approx. equal to 238+240Pu. Maximum of 241Am conc. will be 
reached in about 2050.
The ratio 241Am : 137Cs (global) is about 0.6% (by 2003, back-referenced 
1 May 1986). Chernobyl contribution to total 241Am is mostly below 2% 
(value from a place in Central Europe strongly affected by Ch.)

regards,
Peter



Ross Beveridge wrote:
> A decom project with minimal (no) history of likely contaminants.
>  
> Some recent soil spec results show the presence of americium.  
> Could soft X rays from radium be misinterpreted as an americium peak by the
> gamma spec?
>  
> Any input/advice etc. would be gratefully appreciated.
>  
>  
> Rgds
> Ross
>  
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-- 


-----------------------------------------------------
Peter Bossew 

European Commission (EC) 
Joint Research Centre (JRC) 
Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES) 

TP 441, Via Fermi 1 
21020 Ispra (VA) 
ITALY 
  
Tel. +39 0332 78 9109 
Fax. +39 0332 78 5466 
Email: peter.bossew at jrc.it 

http://rem.jrc.ec.europa.eu/
  
"The views expressed are purely those of the writer and may not in any
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Commission."