Radiometric Surveys

Outline | Detail |

OUTLINE

Radiometric surveys involve the measurement of gamma radiation resulting from natural radioactive sources. Instruments are available to measure either total count or provide spectral information on individual elements such as uranium, thorium and potassium in order to identify specific sources of radiation. Modern multispectral meters capable of measuring up to 256 channels are being increasingly used in environmental mapping. Radiometric measurements are primarily used in mineral exploration but can also be applied to the detection of faults, location of caves and for mapping contamination.

DETAIL

Total gamma radiation and spectral gamma measurements can be made using portable crystals. Generally total count, uranium, thorium and potassium channels of data are acquired to identify specific sources of radiation. Multispectral measurements with up to 256 channels of data per measurement station are being increasingly used in environmental mapping.

Radiometric measurements are primarily used for mineral exploration, geotechnical applications including detection of buried faults and the assessment of slope stability (which are often associated with fractures and groundwater flow), locating caves in karst terrain, and mapping contamination.

Measurements using any one of a number of commercially available systems are susceptible to noise from a wide range of natural and possible cultural sources of radiation. Penetrating power of this method is shallow due to the fact that gamma rays only travel about 0.5m or so in hard rock.