Progress in radionuclide characterisation in marine sediments using an underwater gamma-ray spectrometer in 2π geometry

Abstract

The in-situ gamma-ray spectrometry is a well suited method for seabed mapping applications, since it provides rapid results in a cost effective manner. Moreover, the in-situ method is preferable to the commonly applied laboratory measurements, due to its beneficial characteristics. Therefore, the development of in-situ systems for seabed measurements continuously grows. However, an efficiency calibration of the detection system is necessary for obtaining quantitative results in the full spectral range. In the present work, an approach for calculating the full-energy peak efficiency of an underwater insitu spectrometer for measure- ments on the seabed is presented. The experimental work was performed at the coastal site of Vasilikos (Cyprus). The experimental full-energy peak efficiency of the in-situ was determined in the energy range 1400–2600 keV, by combining the in-situ and laboratory reference measurements. The experimental effi- ciency results were theoretically reproduced by means of Monte Carlo (MC) simulations, using the MCNP5 code.