Application of low energy gamma-spectrometry in rapid actinide analysis for emergency preparedness

For preparedness purposes, a fast and reliable method is essential to quickly assess radioactive fallout in the environment. The rapid determination of certain nuclides such as alpha-emitting actinides is necessary to make initial environmental and agricultural advisories. Therefore, a method using a preconcentration resin and low energy gamma-spectrometry was developed to a fast determination of certain nuclides in soil samples. The preconcentration resin allows samples to be partially purified and then directly measured by gamma-spectrometry without further extraction or separation. The initial gamma-measurement provides fast and accurate determination of certain nuclides such as Am-241 and U-235 which are normally analyzed by alpha-spectrometry, but require additional time-consuming purification and separation steps. After gamma-spectrometry, the sample may be further processed and analyzed by traditional methods to determine actinides or other nuclides more precisely.