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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 64 (1980)

Issue: 5. (May)

First Page: 695

Last Page: 695

Title: Advances in Radon Exploration Techniques for Uranium: ABSTRACT

Author(s): Robert F. Czarnecki, John C. Pacer, Robert W. Freeman

Article Type: Meeting abstract

Abstract:

In an effort to evaluate several radon measurement methods, Bendix Field Engineering Corp., as part of the Department of Energy's National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) program, has performed radon measurements using a variety of new techniques at a uranium occurrence located in the Red Desert area of south-central Wyoming. The site had 100 sampling locations over a 1.5-sq km area.

The radon techniques used were: a prototype microprocessor-controlled emanometer; alpha-track detectors with two types of detector material, with and without membranes for thoron separation; radon adsorption on activated charcoal with the measurement of the gamma-emitting radon decay products; thermoluminescence detectors; partial extraction of lead-210 from soil samples; and an established emanometer. The radon measurements obtained by these techniques at the sample locations are compared for their sensitivity, variability, signal enhancement, and the correlation between the radon techniques. The radon techniques were also correlated to the equivalent uranium in the soil samples.

The prototype emanometer was found to exhibit less variability than the established emanometer. One alpha-track material was 15 times more sensitive than the other material. The thoron membranes decreased the number of alpha tracks by 47% in the more sensitive material and increased the number of alpha tracks in the less sensitive material by 27%. Signal enhancement obtained for all the radon techniques was similar for this research site and ranged from 2.5 to 3.5. Correlation coefficients between the techniques ranged from 0.32 to 0.70 and from 0.3 to 0.9 with equivalent uranium.

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