Standard Practice for High-Resolution Gamma-Ray Spectrometry of Water

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Gamma-ray spectrometry is of use in identifying radionuclides and in making quantitative measurements. Use of a semiconductor detector is necessary for high-resolution measurements.
Variation of the physical geometry of the sample and its relationship with the detector will produce both qualitative and quantitative variations in the gamma-ray spectrum. To adequately account for these geometry effects, calibrations are designed to duplicate all conditions including source-to-detector distance, sample shape and size, and sample matrix encountered when samples are measured.
Since some spectrometry systems are calibrated at many discrete distances from the detector, a wide range of activity levels can be measured on the same detector. For high-level samples, extremely low-efficiency geometries may be used. Quantitative measurements can be made accurately and precisely when high activity level samples are placed at distances of 10 cm or more from the detector.
Electronic problems, such as erroneous deadtime correction, loss of resolution, and random summing, may be avoided by keeping the gross count rate below 2000 counts per second (s–1) and also keeping the deadtime of the analyzer below 5 %. Total counting time is governed by the radioactivity of the sample, the detector to source distance and the acceptable Poisson counting uncertainty.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the measurement of gamma-ray emitting radionuclides in water by means of gamma-ray spectrometry. It is applicable to nuclides emitting gamma-rays with energies greater than 45 keV. For typical counting systems and sample types, activity levels of about 40 Bq are easily measured and sensitivities as low as 0.4 Bq are found for many nuclides. Count rates in excess of 2000 counts per second should be avoided because of electronic limitations. High count rate samples can be accommodated by dilution, by increasing the sample to detector distance, or by using digital signal processors.
1.2 This practice can be used for either quantitative or relative determinations. In relative counting work, the results may be expressed by comparison with an initial concentration of a given nuclide which is taken as 100 %. For quantitative measurements, the results may be expressed in terms of known nuclidic standards for the radionuclides known to be present. This practice can also be used just for the identification of gamma-ray emitting radionuclides in a sample without quantifying them. General information on radioactivity and the measurement of radiation has been published (1,2). Information on specific application of gamma spectrometry is also available in the literature (3-5). See also the referenced ASTM Standards in 2.1 and the related material section at the end of this standard.
This standard does not purport to address the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitation prior to use.

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Publication Date
14-Dec-2006
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ASTM D3649-06 - Standard Practice for High-Resolution Gamma-Ray Spectrometry of Water
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D3649 − 06 AnAmerican National Standard
Standard Practice for
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High-Resolution Gamma-Ray Spectrometry of Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3649; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
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1.1 This practice covers the measurement of gamma-ray 2.1 ASTM Standards:
emitting radionuclides in water by means of gamma-ray D1066Practice for Sampling Steam
spectrometry. It is applicable to nuclides emitting gamma-rays D1129Terminology Relating to Water
withenergiesgreaterthan45keV.Fortypicalcountingsystems D2777Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
and sample types, activity levels of about 40 Bq are easily Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
measuredandsensitivitiesaslowas0.4Bqarefoundformany D3370Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
nuclides. Count rates in excess of 2000 counts per second D3648Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity
should be avoided because of electronic limitations. High D4448GuideforSamplingGround-WaterMonitoringWells
count rate samples can be accommodated by dilution, by E181Test Methods for Detector Calibration andAnalysis of
increasing the sample to detector distance, or by using digital Radionuclides
signal processors.
3. Terminology
1.2 This practice can be used for either quantitative or
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
relative determinations. In relative counting work, the results
practice, refer toTerminology D1129. For terms not defined in
may be expressed by comparison with an initial concentration
thispracticeorinTerminologyD1129,referencemaybemade
of a given nuclide which is taken as 100%. For quantitative
to other published glossaries.
measurements,theresultsmaybeexpressedintermsofknown
nuclidic standards for the radionuclides known to be present.
4. Summary of Practice
This practice can also be used just for the identification of
4.1 Gamma ray spectra are measured with modular equip-
gamma-ray emitting radionuclides in a sample without quan-
ment consisting of a detector, high-voltage power supply,
tifying them. General information on radioactivity and the
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preamplifier,amplifierandanalog-to-digitalconverter(ordigi-
measurement of radiation has been published (1,2). Informa-
tal signal processor), multichannel analyzer, as well as a
tion on specific application of gamma spectrometry is also
computer with display.
available in the literature (3-5). See also the referencedASTM
Standards in 2.1 and the related material section at the end of
4.2 High-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors, p-type or
this standard.
n-type,areusedfortheanalysisofcomplexgamma-rayspectra
because of their excellent energy resolution.These germanium
1.3 This standard does not purport to address the safety
systems, however, are characterized by high cost and require
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
cooling.Liquidnitrogenorelectromechanicalcooling,orboth,
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
can be used.
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitation prior to use.
4.3 In a germanium semiconductor detector, gamma-ray
photons produce electron-hole pairs. The charged pair is then
1 collected by an applied electric field. A very stable low noise
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D19 on Water and
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.04 on Methods of Radiochemical
preamplifier is needed to amplify the pulses of electric charge
Analysis.
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2006. Published January 2007. Originally
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approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as D3649–98a. DOI: For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
10.1520/D3649-06. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
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Theboldfacenumbersinparenthesesrefertothelistofreferencesattheendof Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
this test method. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D3649 − 06
resultingfromgammaphotoninteractions.Theoutputfromthe double escape peaks at energies of 0.511 or 1.022 MeV less
preamplifier is directly proportional to the energy deposited by than the photopeak energy. In the plot of pulse height versus
the incident gamma-ray. These current pulses are fed into an count rate, the size and location of the photo
...

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