High-sensitivity HPGe gamma-spectrometry analysis of radionuclides in Martian meteorites

Analysis of cosmogenic radionuclides in Martian meteorites is a great radioanalytical challenge because of the high scientific value of these meteorites, and necessity to apply non-destructive methods of analysis, e.g., low-level gamma-ray spectrometry. The measured Mn-54, Na-22, and Al-26 levels in two fragments of the Tissint meteorite, a recent fall (18 July 2011), were 0.9, 1.1 and 0.6 Bq/kg in average. The high Na-22/Al-26 activity ratio (1.89 +/- A 0.05) measured in the larger sample (908.7 g) indicates an unsaturated production of Al-26 in the Tissint meteorite.