Radon emanation rate by liquid scintillation countingAim of the studyThe objective of the project was to develop a simple and reliable method for determining radon emanation rate in soil samples. ImplementationIn the developed method, a soil sample and an open liquid scintillation vial filled with a scintillation cocktail are sealed with a rubber stopper inside a glass bottle. The radon concentration inside the bottle begins to rise and is partly absorbed by the cocktail. The cocktail is taken out in 1-3 weeks and the concentration of radon absorbed into the cocktail is determined with a liquid scintillation counter. Based on the calibrations carried out, the radon emanation rate can be calculated. The liquid scintillation method is generally more rapid than any of the previously applied methods that required three weeks to attain results. So far, the method has also been more reliable and the minimum detectible emanation rates lower than with the previous methods. Dissemination and exploitation of the resultsThe method serves for determination of radon emanation rate in drainage layer media required by research and industry and has been introduced in the Radionuclide Analytics laboratory of STUK. A manuscript has been published in Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry in Vol. 279 (1), pp. 325-331, 2009. CollaboratorsNo partners outside STUK Timetable2003–2008 Responsible scientistTuukka Turtianen Page updated 06/06/2009
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