Spectrometric Methods for Measurement and Control of Environmental Radioactivity

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 May 2022) | Viewed by 6852

Special Issue Editors

Department of Mathematics and Physics, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Caserta, Italy
Interests: applied physics; radionuclides; environmental and natural radioactivity; radiological risk assessment
Department of Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security, National Institute of Ionizing Radiation Metrology, ENEA, Casaccia, Italy
Interests: environmental and natural radioactivity; metrology and dosimetry of ionizing radiation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Spectrometric methods are widely used for the qualitative and quantitative determination of radionuclides present in environmental samples (soils, rocks, sediments, atmospheric particles, water, plants, etc.) or food. Gamma spectrometry is the most used for its many advantages, with semiconductors and other detectors. It is used in the laboratory, in the field, and in situ for punctual and continuous measurements. Alpha spectrometry is also widely used, and with the use of radiochemistry, its sensitivity and efficiency are increased. However, users do not always take into account all the methodological aspects that ensure a good quality of the measurement, without incurring partial or incorrect results. The adequate calibration of the measurement system and spectral analysis and the correct evaluation of the MDA and measurement uncertainties are very relevant aspects. To share and promote research activities aimed at making best use of these methods, a Special Issue has been proposed that offers the opportunity to publish high-quality research papers. It welcomes studies that involve the use of spectroscopic methods in all possible sectors, with particular attention to the improvement and innovative aspects. All manuscripts will be peer reviewed by industry experts.

Prof. Dr. Carlo Sabbarese
Dr. Pierino De Felice
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Spectrometric methods
  • Gamma spectrometry
  • Alpha spectrometry
  • Environmental radioactivity
  • Natural radioactivity
  • Minimum detectable activity
  • Calibration
  • Intercomparison
  • Sensitivity
  • Efficiency

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 9189 KiB  
Article
Ultrasensitive Radionuclide Analysis in Water and Sediments for Environmental Radiological Assessment near the Decommissioning Garigliano Nuclear Power Plant (Italy)
by Antonio Petraglia, Carmina Sirignano, Fabio Marzaioli, Carlo Sabbarese, Antonio D’Onofrio, Giuseppe Porzio, Raffaele Buompane, Vincenzo Roca, Luisa Stellato, Alfonso Maria Esposito, Pietro Mazziotta and Filippo Terrasi
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(16), 8033; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12168033 - 11 Aug 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1336
Abstract
We report a high sensitivity study of actinides content in water and sediment matrices performed for the first time along the Garigliano river, near the nuclear power plant currently undergoing decommissioning, and in the marine environment surrounding the river mouth up to a [...] Read more.
We report a high sensitivity study of actinides content in water and sediment matrices performed for the first time along the Garigliano river, near the nuclear power plant currently undergoing decommissioning, and in the marine environment surrounding the river mouth up to a depth of 100 m. Ultrasensitive accelerator mass spectrometry measurements were carried out to estimate the absolute values of 236U, 238U, 239Pu, and 240Pu concentrations and 236U/238U, and 239Pu/240Pu ratios. The accuracy of the measurements and the spatial distribution of the radionuclides enable us to discriminate the anthropogenic from the natural radionuclide’s contribution to the environmental radioactivity. The results indicate that the contribution to the anthropogenic contamination of past power plant operations is, in most of the examined environmental compartments, negligible compared to fallout. High resolution γ-ray spectrometry measurements for 137Cs and 40K show interesting correlations with the actinides results. Full article
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14 pages, 3578 KiB  
Article
A Novel Method for Spectrometry Based on Imaging Systems
by Rita Falconi, Stefania Sorbino, Roberto Pani and Luca Indovina
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(3), 1657; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12031657 - 05 Feb 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1356
Abstract
γ-ray spectrometry is a well-known technique in environmental radioactivity measurements where easily handled systems are needed. Scintillators coupled to a photomultiplier tube (PMT), are typically favoured over solid-state detectors as mobile spectrometers. Replacing PMT with position sensitive devices represents an innovative solution [...] Read more.
γ-ray spectrometry is a well-known technique in environmental radioactivity measurements where easily handled systems are needed. Scintillators coupled to a photomultiplier tube (PMT), are typically favoured over solid-state detectors as mobile spectrometers. Replacing PMT with position sensitive devices represents an innovative solution that provides the evaluation of the interaction point of the incident radiation. The knowledge of spectrometry as a function of the depth of interaction (DoI) assures a better understanding of the spectrum and a more reliable identification of the source. In this paper, the efficiency of a simple DoI estimator has been studied using a CRY018 monolithic crystal coupled to a multi-anode photomultiplier tube. The DoI estimator has been evaluated studying charge distributions and the dependency of spectrometric properties on the DoI has been qualitatively analyzed. The estimator has shown to be highly sensitive to the DoI, enabling a better understanding of the internal interaction processes of light and an efficient rejection of the background component on the spectra. The novelty of this work lies in the application of the DoI selection in spectrometry made available by the use of MAPMT. The proposed method is practical since it does not require complicated hardware solutions or complex computational procedures. Full article
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11 pages, 1730 KiB  
Article
Study of 222−220Rn Measurement Systems Based on Electrostatic Collection by Using Geant4+COMSOL Simulation
by Luigi Rinaldi, Fabrizio Ambrosino, Vincenzo Roca, Antonio D’Onofrio and Carlo Sabbarese
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(1), 507; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12010507 - 05 Jan 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2125
Abstract
Using Monte Carlo (with Geant4) and COMSOL simulations, the authors have defined a useful tool to reproduce the alpha spectroscopy of 222Rn, 220Rn and their ionized daughters by measurement systems based on electrostatic collection on a silicon detector, inside a metallic [...] Read more.
Using Monte Carlo (with Geant4) and COMSOL simulations, the authors have defined a useful tool to reproduce the alpha spectroscopy of 222Rn, 220Rn and their ionized daughters by measurement systems based on electrostatic collection on a silicon detector, inside a metallic chamber. Several applications have been performed: (i) simulating commercial devices worldwide used, and comparing them with experimental theoretical results; (ii) studying of realization of new measurement systems through investigation of the detection efficiency versus different chamber geometries. New considerations and steps forward have been drawn. The present work is a novelty in the literature concerning this research framework. Full article
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14 pages, 2910 KiB  
Article
Study of Surface Emissions of 220Rn (Thoron) at Two Sites in the Campi Flegrei Caldera (Italy) during Volcanic Unrest in the Period 2011–2017
by Fabrizio Ambrosino, Carlo Sabbarese, Flora Giudicepietro, Walter De Cesare, Mariagabriella Pugliese and Vincenzo Roca
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(13), 5809; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11135809 - 23 Jun 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1215
Abstract
The study concerns the analysis of 220Rn (thoron) recorded in the surface soil in two sites of the Campi Flegrei caldera (Naples, Southern Italy) characterized by phases of volcanic unrest in the seven-year period 1 July 2011–31 December 2017. Thoron comes only [...] Read more.
The study concerns the analysis of 220Rn (thoron) recorded in the surface soil in two sites of the Campi Flegrei caldera (Naples, Southern Italy) characterized by phases of volcanic unrest in the seven-year period 1 July 2011–31 December 2017. Thoron comes only from the most surface layer, so the characteristics of its time series are strictly connected to the shallow phenomena, which can also act at a distance from the measuring point in these particular areas. Since we measured 220Rn in parallel with 222Rn (radon), we found that by using the same analysis applied to radon, we obtained interesting information. While knowing the limits of this radioisotope well, we highlight only the particular characteristics of the emissions of thoron in the surface soil. Here, we show that it also shows some clear features found in the radon signal, such as anomalies and signal trends. Consequently, we provide good evidence that, in spite of the very short life of 220Rn compared to 222Rn, both are related to the carrier effect of CO2, which has significantly increased in the last few years within the caldera. The hydrothermal alterations, induced by the increase in temperature and pressure of the caldera system, occur in the surface soils and significantly influence thoron’s power of exhalation from the surface layer. The effects on the surface thoron are reflected in both sites, but with less intensity, the same behavior of 222Rn following the increasing movements and fluctuations of the geophysical and geochemical parameters (CO2 flux, fumarolic tremor, background seismicity, soil deformation). An overall linear correlation was found between the 222−220Rn signals, indicating the effect of the CO2 vector. The overall results represent a significant step forward in the use and interpretation of the thoron signal. Full article
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