Radioactive Element Testing

All soils of the world are radioactive as a result of cosmogenic and/or primordial radionuclides that are naturally present. These, respectively, include traces of radioactive carbon (carbon-14) and radioactive hydrogen (hydrogen-3 or tritium) formed by the action of cosmic rays in the atmosphere and which reach the soil through soil-borne photosynthesis and water absorption, and the naturally radioactive elements of potassium (potassium-40), uranium, thorium and their 'daughters'. The latter are present in the geological precursors of many soils. Natural radionuclides in soil generate a significant component of the background radiation exposure of the population. The ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K, which pose exposure risks externally due to their γ ray emissions and internally due to radon and its progeny, are distributed everywhere in the earth's environment with different concentrations. The upper most layer of the earth is covered by soil. The soil is a complex mixture of different compounds and rocks in the natural environment. The natural radionuclides enter into the soil from the earth's crust where they have been present since its creation. The earth's crust is the principal source of natural radionuclides in soils and rocks.^[1],[2] Investigations and measurements of natural background radiation and radioactivity are of great importance in health physics, not only for many practical reasons but also for fundamental scientific reasons. Since natural background radiation is the main source of human exposure, studies on the dose from this source and its effects on health can improve the understanding of radiation damage.^[3]

As a global leading radioactive element testing company, Alfa Chemistry provides incredible services and credible results. Alfa Chemistry is your one-stop-shop laboratory to test radioactive element in soil.

Radioactive element in soil that Alfa Chemistry can analyze:

²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K, ¹⁴C, ²³⁸U and ²³⁵U, ¹³⁷Cs and ¹³⁴Cs, ⁹⁰Sr, ¹⁰⁶Ru, ²⁴⁰Pu, etc.

Methods used to analyze radioactive element in soil:

• Radiochemical Analysis

  The main methods include: radiological analysis, radiochemical analysis, activity analysis, excitation X-ray fluorescence analysis, mossbauer resonance spectrum, positron annihilation method, nuclear magnetic resonance method, etc.

• γ Energy Spectrum

  γ-ray spectroscopy is the measurement of γ-rays of a specific energy of rock or stratum and other medium radioactive elements by γ-ray spectrometer to determine the radioactive element content.

Our advantages:

References

• Tahir, S. N., Jamil, K., Zaidi, J. H., Arif, M., Ahmed, N., & Ahmad, S. A. (2005). Measurements of activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides in soil samples from punjab province of pakistan and assessment of radiological hazards. Radiat Prot Dosimetry, 113(4), 421-427.

• UNSCEAR. Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation. (2000). Report to the General Assembly with Scientific Annexes. United Nations: Annexure B, 97-105.

• Shivakumara, B., Paramesh, L., Shashikumar, T., & Chandrashekara, M. (2012). Study on natural radioactive elements in soil and rock samples around Mandya district, India. Radiation Protection and Environment, 35(1), 29-29.