Monte Carlo simulation of gamma-ray spectra from natural radionuclides recorded by a NaI detector in the marine environment

R Vlastou; I Th Ntziou; M Kokkoris; C T Papadopoulos; C Tsabaris

doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2005.07.011

Monte Carlo simulation of gamma-ray spectra from natural radionuclides recorded by a NaI detector in the marine environment

Appl Radiat Isot. 2006 Jan;64(1):116-23. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2005.07.011. Epub 2005 Sep 8.

Authors

R Vlastou¹, I Th Ntziou, M Kokkoris, C T Papadopoulos, C Tsabaris

Affiliation

¹ Department of Physics, National Technical University of Athens, 157 80 Athens, Greece. vlastou@central.ntua.gr

PMID: 16150599
DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2005.07.011

Abstract

The GEANT4 Monte Carlo code has been used to simulate gamma-ray spectra of natural radionuclides collected by a NaI scintillation detector immersed in seawater. The gamma-rays emitted from the decay of (40)K, and the series of (232)Th and (238)U, were used to describe the radioactive water source around the NaI crystal. The simulated gamma-ray spectra were compared with real data recorded in situ by a newly constructed NaI spectrometer and were found to be in good agreement. The NaI spectrometer was calibrated in the laboratory in a water tank, before its deployment in seawater. Activity concentrations were deduced from the gamma-ray spectra and discussed in comparison with results from the literature.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Computer Simulation
Gamma Rays*
Iodates*
Monte Carlo Method
Radiation Monitoring / methods*
Radioisotopes / analysis*
Seawater / chemistry*
Spectrometry, Gamma
Spectrum Analysis

Substances

Iodates
Radioisotopes
sodium iodate