Preliminary results from the first national in situ gamma spectrometry survey of the United Kingdom

Citation

Tyler A & Copplestone D (2007) Preliminary results from the first national in situ gamma spectrometry survey of the United Kingdom. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 96 (1-3), pp. 94-102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2007.01.029

Abstract
In situ gamma spectrometry was introduced as part of a national soil and herbage pollution survey of the United Kingdom (UK) in 2002, to evaluate its potential for complimenting or even replacing the conventional soil sampling approach in environmental monitoring. A total of 128 points were measured across the whole of the UK on a 50-km grid, including 11 calibration sites, encompassing a complete spectrum of soil types, geology and depositional environments. Good comparisons are demonstrated between in situ and soil sample derived estimates of environmental radioactivity from spatially matched sampling plans. Air kerma results and the contributions to air kerma rate are also presented and compared withcalibrated conventional single parameter GM based instruments. The preliminary results are presented here and show that in situ gamma spectrometry provides a rapid and robust approach, providing spatially integrated estimates for environmental monitoring purposes.

Keywords
AIR; environment; environments; EVALUATE; GAMMA; grid; in situ gamma spectrometry; Monitoring; pollution; SAMPLE; Sampling; SINGLE; SITES; SOIL; SPECTRA; SPECTROMETRY; spectrum; survey; UK; United Kingdom

Journal
Journal of Environmental Radioactivity: Volume 96, Issue 1-3

People

Professor David Copplestone

Professor, Biological and Environmental Sciences

Professor Andrew Tyler

Scotland Hydro Nation Chair, Biological and Environmental Sciences