Simultaneous measurement of tritium and radiocarbon by ultra-low-background proportional counting

Use of ultra-low-background capabilities at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory provide enhanced sensitivity for measurement of low-activity sources of tritium and radiocarbon using proportional counters. Tritium levels are nearly back to pre-nuclear test backgrounds (~2-8 TU in rainwater), which...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied radiation and isotopes 2017-08, Vol.126, p.171-174
Main Authors: Mace, Emily, Aalseth, Craig, Alexander, Tom, Back, Henning, Day, Anthony, Hoppe, Eric, Keillor, Martin, Moran, Jim, Overman, Cory, Panisko, Mark, Seifert, Allen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES
Dual-isotope measurements
Proportional counting
Radiocarbon
Tritium
Ultra-low-background
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Summary:Use of ultra-low-background capabilities at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory provide enhanced sensitivity for measurement of low-activity sources of tritium and radiocarbon using proportional counters. Tritium levels are nearly back to pre-nuclear test backgrounds (~2-8 TU in rainwater), which can complicate their dual measurement with radiocarbon due to overlap in the beta decay spectra. We present results of single-isotope proportional counter measurements used to analyze a dual-isotope methane sample synthesized from ~120mg of H2O and present sensitivity results. •Measurement of single-isotope standards of tritium and radiocarbon.•Analysis of dual-isotope sample of tritium and radiocarbon from synthesized CH4.•Sensitivity to 92 TU at 5% 1-sigma in 12 days starting from 120mgH2O.
ISSN:0969-8043
1872-9800
DOI:10.1016/j.apradiso.2016.12.033