TENORM radiological survey of Utica and Marcellus Shale

highlights•First on-site radiological survey of processed shale sludge from oil and gas fields.•Mobile spectroscopic radiation inspection system with shielding for low-activity measurements.•Quantification of Ra-226 and Ra-228 radionuclides contamination in soil samples.

Comprehensive on-site radiological survey of processed sludge drilled materials extracted from the oil and gas production activities in the Utica and Marcellus Shale in Ohio has been conducted with a shielded isotopic identifier incorporating an advanced patented algorithmic processor to measure low-activity levels in compliance with environmental standards.