ASTM C1402-17
(Guide)Standard Guide for High-Resolution Gamma-Ray Spectrometry of Soil Samples
Standard Guide for High-Resolution Gamma-Ray Spectrometry of Soil Samples
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Gamma-ray spectrometry of soil samples is used to identify and quantify certain gamma-ray emitting radionuclides. Use of a germanium semiconductor detector is necessary for high-resolution gamma-ray measurements.
5.2 Much of the data acquisition and analysis can be automated with the use of commercially available systems that include both hardware and software. For a general description of the typical hardware in more detail than discussed in Section 7, see Ref (19). For best practices on set-up, calibration, and quality control of utilized spectrometry systems, see Practice D7282.
5.3 Both qualitative and quantitative analyses may be performed using the same measurement data.
5.4 The procedures described in this guide may be used for a wide variety of activity levels, from natural background levels and fallout-type problems, to determining the effectiveness of cleanup efforts after a spill or an industrial accident, to tracing contamination at older production sites, where wastes were purposely disposed of in soil. In some cases, the combination of radionuclide identities and concentration ratios can be used to determine the source of the radioactive materials.
5.5 Collecting samples and bringing them to a data acquisition system for analysis may be used as the primary method to detect deposition of radionuclides in soil. For obtaining a representative set of samples that cover a particular area, see Practice C998. Soil can also be measured by taking the data acquisition system to the field and measuring the soil in place (in situ). In situ measurement techniques are not discussed in this guide.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the identification and quantitative determination of gamma-ray emitting radionuclides in soil samples by means of gamma-ray spectrometry. It is applicable to nuclides emitting gamma rays with an approximate energy range of 20 to 2000 keV. For typical gamma-ray spectrometry systems and sample types, activity levels of about 5 Bq (135 pCi) are measured easily for most nuclides, and activity levels as low as 0.1 Bq (2.7 pCi) can be measured for many nuclides. It is not applicable to radionuclides that emit no gamma rays such as the pure beta-emitting radionuclides hydrogen-3, carbon-14, strontium-90, and becquerel quantities of most transuranics. This guide does not address the in situ measurement techniques, where soil is analyzed in place without sampling. Guidance for in situ techniques can be found in Ref (1) and (2).2 This guide also does not discuss methods for determining lower limits of detection. Such discussions can be found in Refs (3), (4), (5) , and (6).
1.2 This guide can be used for either quantitative or relative determinations. For quantitative assay, the results are expressed in terms of absolute activities or activity concentrations of the radionuclides found to be present. This guide may also be used for qualitative identification of the gamma-ray emitting radionuclides in soil without attempting to quantify their activities. It can also be used to only determine their level of activities relative to each other but not in an absolute sense. General information on radioactivity and its measurement may be found in Refs (7), (8), (9), (10) , and (11) and Standard Test Methods E181. Information on specific applications of gamma-ray spectrometry is also available in Refs (12) or (13). Practice D3649 may be a valuable source of information.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 This standard may involve hazardous material, operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to address all of 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 limitations prior to use.
1.5 This inter...
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This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: C1402 − 17
Standard Guide for
1
High-Resolution Gamma-Ray Spectrometry of Soil Samples
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1402; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its
use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
1.1 This guide covers the identification and quantitative
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
determination of gamma-ray emitting radionuclides in soil
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
samples by means of gamma-ray spectrometry. It is applicable
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
to nuclides emitting gamma rays with an approximate energy
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
range of 20 to 2000 keV. For typical gamma-ray spectrometry
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
systems and sample types, activity levels of about 5 Bq (135
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
pCi) are measured easily for most nuclides, and activity levels
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
as low as 0.1 Bq (2.7 pCi) can be measured for many nuclides.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
It is not applicable to radionuclides that emit no gamma rays
such as the pure beta-emitting radionuclides hydrogen-3,
2. Referenced Documents
carbon-14, strontium-90, and becquerel quantities of most
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
transuranics. This guide does not address the in situ measure-
C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
ment techniques, where soil is analyzed in place without
C998 Practice for Sampling Surface Soil for Radionuclides
sampling. Guidance for in situ techniques can be found in Ref
2
C999 Practice for Soil Sample Preparation for the Determi-
(1) and (2). This guide also does not discuss methods for
nation of Radionuclides
determining lower limits of detection. Such discussions can be
C1009 Guide for Establishing and Maintaining a Quality
found in Refs (3), (4), (5), and (6).
AssuranceProgramforAnalyticalLaboratoriesWithinthe
1.2 This guide can be used for either quantitative or relative
Nuclear Industry
determinations.Forquantitativeassay,theresultsareexpressed
D3649 PracticeforHigh-ResolutionGamma-RaySpectrom-
in terms of absolute activities or activity concentrations of the
etry of Water
radionuclides found to be present.This guide may also be used
D7282 Practice for Set-up, Calibration, and Quality Control
for qualitative identification of the gamma-ray emitting radio-
of Instruments Used for Radioactivity Measurements
nuclides in soil without attempting to quantify their activities.
E181 Test Methods for Detector Calibration andAnalysis of
It can also be used to only determine their level of activities
Radionuclides
relative to each other but not in an absolute sense. General
IEEE/ASTM-SI-10 Standard for Use of the International
information on radioactivity and its measurement may be
System of Units (SI) the Modern Metric System
found in Refs (7), (8), (9), (10), and (11) and Standard Test
4
2.2 ANSI Standards:
MethodsE181.Informationonspecificapplicationsofgamma-
N13.30 Performance Criteria for Radiobioassay
ray spectrometry is also available in Refs (12) or (13). Practice
N42.14 Calibration and Use of Germanium Spectrometers
D3649 may be a valuable source of information.
for the Measurement of Gamma-Ray Emission Rates of
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Radionuclides
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
N42.23 American National Standard Measurement and As-
standard.
sociated Instrumentation
1.4 This standard may involve hazardous material,
IEEE-325 Standard Test Procedures for Germanium
operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to
Gamma-Ray Detectors
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear Fuel
3
Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of Test. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2017.PublishedJuly2017.Originallyapproved contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as C1402 – 04 (2009). DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/C1402-17. the ASTM websit
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: C1402 − 04 (Reapproved 2009) C1402 − 17
Standard Guide for
1
High-Resolution Gamma-Ray Spectrometry of Soil Samples
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1402; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide covers the identification and quantitative determination of gamma-ray emitting radionuclides in soil samples by
means of gamma-ray spectrometry. It is applicable to nuclides emitting gamma rays with an approximate energy range of 20 to
2000 keV. For typical gamma-ray spectrometry systems and sample types, activity levels of about 5 Bq (135 pCi) are measured
easily for most nuclides, and activity levels as low as 0.1 Bq (2.7 pCi) can be measured for many nuclides. It is not applicable to
radionuclides that emit no gamma rays such as the pure beta-emitting radionuclides hydrogen-3, carbon-14, strontium-90, and
becquerel quantities of most transuranics. This guide does not address the in situ measurement techniques, where soil is analyzed
2
in place without sampling. Guidance for in situ techniques can be found in Ref (1) and (2). This guide also does not discuss
methods for determining lower limits of detection. Such discussions can be found in Refs (3),(4),(5), and (6).
1.2 This guide can be used for either quantitative or relative determinations. For quantitative assay, the results are expressed in
terms of absolute activities or activity concentrations of the radionuclides found to be present. This guide may also be used for
qualitative identification of the gamma-ray emitting radionuclides in soil without attempting to quantify their activities. It can also
be used to only determine their level of activities relative to each other but not in an absolute sense. General information on
radioactivity and its measurement may be found in Refs (7),(8),(9),(10), and (11) and Standard Test Methods E181. Information
on specific applications of gamma-ray spectrometry is also available in Refs (12) or (13). Practice D3649 may be a valuable source
of information.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 This standard may involve hazardous material, operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to address all
of 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 limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
C998 Practice for Sampling Surface Soil for Radionuclides
C999 Practice for Soil Sample Preparation for the Determination of Radionuclides
C1009 Guide for Establishing and Maintaining a Quality Assurance Program for Analytical Laboratories Within the Nuclear
Industry
D3649 Practice for High-Resolution Gamma-Ray Spectrometry of Water
D7282 Practice for Set-up, Calibration, and Quality Control of Instruments Used for Radioactivity Measurements
E181 Test Methods for Detector Calibration and Analysis of Radionuclides
IEEE/ASTM-SI-10 Standard for Use of the International System of Units (SI) the Modern Metric System
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of Test.
Current edition approved June 1, 2009June 1, 2017. Published July 2009July 2017. Originally approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 20042009 as
C1402 – 04.C1402 – 04 (2009). DOI: 10.1520/C1402-04R09.10.1520/C1402-17.
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of this standard.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
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