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APPLICATION OF GERMANIUM DETECTORS TO ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING
Citation:
Nix, D., R. Powers, AND L. Kanipe. APPLICATION OF GERMANIUM DETECTORS TO ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/7-79/054 (NTIS PB80113624), 1979.
Description:
Gamma-ray spectroscopy is one of the most economical and wide-ranging tools for monitoring the environment for radiological impact. This report examines the problems involved in applying germanium detectors to the analysis of environmental samples. All aspects of germanium spectroscopy--equipment, system installation, quality control, energy and efficiency calibration, spectral analysis, analytical sensitivities, and cost considerations--are surveyed. Germanium detectors can be used to achieve analytical sensitivities of less than 10 pCi/l (for water) for most radionuclides, often at a confidence level of 95 percent. Germanium detectors should be used to analyze environmental samples that may contain a complex mixture of radionuclides or unknown components because the resolution offered by germanium detectors is unexcelled in these applications. However, use of germanium detectors may not always be as economical as use of sodium iodide (NaI(Tl)) detectors.