Efficiency calibration for in situ γ-ray measurements on the seabed using Monte Carlo simulations: Application in two different marine environments

A new approach for calibrating an in situ detection system for measurements in marine sediments has been developed. The efficiency calibration was deduced on full spectral range by Monte Carlo simulations (MCNP5 code) considering a close detector-seabed geometry set-up. Moreover, the influence of the detection efficiency with respect to the variations of the sediment geological characteristics was studied through Monte Carlo simulations. The results of the theoretical approach were compared with experimental calculations in two different real test cases, yielding a satisfactory agreement (up to 10% and 20% for sites 1 and 2 respectively) in the energy range from 351 keV to 2614 keV. For the experimental measurements, the in situ detection system KATERINA was deployed both in the seawater and on the seabed in two different marine environments. The experimental determinations of the detection efficiency were performed by utilizing the acquired data of the deployments, along with additional necessary laboratory measurements. The adopted approach and the obtained results are discussed.