Measurements of gamma-ray background radiation in Pyhäsalmi mine

• Published in: Applied radiation and isotopes Vol. 161; p. 109166
• Main Authors: Pohuliai, S., Sokolov, A., Gostilo, V., Joutsenvaara, J., Puputti, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2020
• Subjects: Gamma-ray background radiation; HPGe spectrometry; Underground laboratory; HPGe spectrometry; Underground laboratory; Gamma-ray background radiation
• ISSN: 0969-8043; 1872-9800
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2020.109166

The results of measuring the gamma background radiation in Lab 5 of the underground facility in the Pyhäsalmi Mine at a depth of 1410 m are presented. The background integral count rate per kg of germanium of the HPGe-detector was 0.028 s-1 × kg-1. After purging the measuring chamber with nitrogen gas at a rate of 0.15 L/h the count rate was reduced to 0.021 s-1 × kg-1. •The gamma background radiation in Lab 5 in the Pyhäsalmi Mine are measured by Low background spectrometer.•Integral count rate, min. detectable activity were improved by purging measuring chamber of HPGe spectrometer.•The activities of natural radionuclides of the covering material in Lab 5 is significantly lower than that in Callio Lab.•The coating in the Callio Lab should be changed.