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

• Investigated a method to improve uranium concentrations measurements.
• Expansion on an existing method that analyses naturally occurring radionuclides.
• Utilise pill containers opposed to Marrinelli beakers.
• Possible application to in situ measurements.
• The method utilise NaI(Tl)-detectors with relative high efficiency.

This article investigates the prospect of utilising the 351.9 keV gamma-ray of 214Pb 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 (7.62×7.62 cm2). 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 214Pb decay and the other one by means of the 214Bi decay. These uranium concentrations were compared in terms of accuracies and detection limits.