Measuring naturally occurring uranium in soil and minerals by analysing the 352 keV gamma-ray peak of 214Pb using a NaI(Tl)-detector

This article investigates the prospect of utilising the 351.9 keV gamma-ray of Pb-214 when determining the concentration of uranium. Soil samples were collected from various locations around South Africa and laboratory gamma ray spectra for each were obtained by means of a NaI(Tl)-detector (7.62 x 7.62 cm(2)). The potassium, uranium and thorium concentrations where extracted by analysing gamma ray peaks that are associated with these radionuclides. Two separate uranium concentrations were extracted; one by means of the Pb-214 decay and the other one by means of the Bi-214 decay. These uranium concentrations were compared in terms of accuracies and detection limits. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.