A practical experimental approach for the determination of gamma-emitting radionuclides in environmental samples

The work presents a practical and cost saving approach for the experimental efficiency calibration of a coaxial n-type high-purity germanium detector (HPGe), with the intended use in routine laboratory measurements of all gamma emitting radionuclides in different environmental volumetric samples. The calibration was performed using the 238U and 232Th natural radionuclide chains in secular equilibrium, and additionally KCl salt of analytical purity, covering the energy range between 26 and 1461 keV. The performance evaluation in the worldwide proficiency test (PT) organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency in 2013 confirmed the reliability of the analytical measurement results provided by this experimental approach for both natural and artificial radionuclides. Yet, further consideration is needed in the low energy range regarding the effect of the sample composition on the self-absorption and geometry corrections.