All] samples were oven-dried, ground and a portion compressed in polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) pipe 2 inches in diameter and either 3;"or 1" inch deep that was
used as a sample holder for radionuclide measurement. Fifty grams of tissue or
68 grams of soil could be compressed into the 2" x 1" container. The density
of the biological and soil samples was 1.0 and 1.35, respectively.
samples were then analyzed for gamma-emitting radionuclides,

These

The gamma-emitting radionuclides in the samples counted on the NaI crystal

were determined by a method of least squares. The radionuclides values in the
samples counted on the Ge (Li) detector were calculated by hand or with a computer by adding the counts in five channels under a peak in the spectrum,subtracting the appropriate background counts, and applying correction factors

to convert counts to picocuries (pCi).

A set of previously reported reference

Spectra for the different geometries and radionuclides were used.
were corrected for decay to the date of collection.

Al] values

Iron-55, Strontium-90 and Plutonium Analyses

pol vent extraction, electrodeposition, and X-ray spectrometry were used
for 5°Fe determinations. To measure 90sr content, 20Y was chemically separated
from 90Sr, collected on a filter paper and counted with a low-level beta counting

system, Plutonium was extracted by ion exchange, electroplated on platinum
discs, and analyzed by alpha spectrometry with systems using surface barrier
alpha detectors and pulse-height analyzers.

use of 242py as a tracer.

Chemical yield was determined by

Error Limits
90
For a single sample, the error given for all radionuclides listed, except

Sr, 55Fe and 239,240pu,

are two-sigma, propagated, counting errors.

The

error values for 29Sr, 55Fe, and Pu includes the two-sigma counting error and

an analytical error,

The error term for more than one sample is one standard

deviation and disregards counting error.

Limits of Detection
Many factors influence the limit of detection, including the type of de-

tector and analyzer, the presence of other radionuclides, the duration of the
counting period, the size and density of the sample, and the geometry relationship of the sample and detector. Hence, the limits of detection varied consid-

erably for various radionuclides and types of samples, but can be summarized
by stating that the detection limits were approximately as follows:
By gamma detection
40,

2.1 pCi/g or less

238)

0,41

102m, 125
137, 152,
155
2075, 2355241
»
Sb,
s,
Eu,
~~Eu,
Am

"

i

0.12 pCi/g or less

By beta detection
905),

).2 pCi/g or less

DOF yee

pyobo
.

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