A method for the complete analysis of NORM building materials by γ-ray spectrometry using HPGe detectors

• Published in: Applied radiation and isotopes Vol. 134; pp. 470 - 476
• Main Authors: Quintana, B., Pedrosa, M.C., Vázquez-Canelas, L., Santamaría, R., Sanjuán, M.A., Puertas, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2018
• Subjects: Broad energy Ge detectors; Low-level background γ-ray spectrometry; NORM building materials; True-coincidence-summing corrections; γ-ray spectrum analysis, Monte Carlo simulated efficiencies; γ-ray spectrum analysis, Monte Carlo simulated efficiencies; Low-level background γ-ray spectrometry; True-coincidence-summing corrections; Broad energy Ge detectors; NORM building materials
• ISSN: 0969-8043; 1872-9800
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2017.07.045

A methodology including software tools for analysing NORM building materials and residues by low-level gamma-ray spectrometry has been developed. It comprises deconvolution of gamma-ray spectra using the software GALEA with focus on the natural radionuclides and Monte Carlo simulations for efficiency and true coincidence summing corrections. The methodology has been tested on a range of building materials and validated against reference materials.