gamma lab

I am in charge of the Gamma Lab at the Institute of Geology (A. Mickiewicz University). The major task of the Lab is to measure various radionuclide activities in sediments using gamma spectroscopy.

The lab is equipped with high purity coaxial wide energy germanium detector (Canberra GX2520 (relative efficiency 25%, resolution <2.0 keV )) with remote detector chamber option (RDC-6 inches) for low energy background reduction (helpful in case of 210Pb). The detector end cap is composed of low attenuated polycarbon window. The detector is placed in 10cm thick lead shield walls.  Gamma-ray spectra are acquired with DSA1000 MCA with digital signal processing electronics. The detector is commercially characterized by Canberra using MCNP method called ISOCS/LabSOCS Characterization. Efficiencies for measured geometries are determined using LabSOCS code applying all corrections for sample geometry, matrix, and container type, for energy range 45 – 3000 keV.  The results are analysed with software GENIE 2000 with gamma analysis option. Precision and MDA (minimum detectable activity) of the measurements are determined using standard GENIE 2000 algorithms, which summarize all the analytical uncertainties and present them as 2sigma error. Currently, the most commonly measured isotopes in our Lab are: 210Pb, 137Cs and 40K.

Papers applying 210Pb and 137Cs:

Sakuna, D., Szczuciński, W., Feldens, P., Schwarzer, K., Khokiattiwong, S., accepted: Sedimentary deposits left by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami offshore Khao Lak, Andaman Sea (Thailand). Earth, Planets and Space

SZCZUCIŃSKI, W., STATTEGGER, K., SCHOLTEN, J., 2009: Modern sediments and sediment accumulation rates on the narrow shelf off central Vietnam, South China Sea. Geo-Marine Letters 29(1): 47-59. link

SZCZUCIŃSKI, W., ZAJĄCZKOWSKI, M., SCHOLTEN, J., 2009: Sediment accumulation rates in subpolar fjords - impact of post-Little Ice Age glaciers retreat, Billefjorden, Svalbard. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 85(3): 345-356. link

Zajączkowski, M., Szczuciński, W., Bojanowski, R., 2004: Recent changes in sediment accumulation rates in Adventfjorden, Svalbard. Oceanologia, 46: 217-231. pdf

Szczuciński, W., Stattegger, K., 2001: Style and rate of shelf sedimentation offshore Nha Trang, Vietnam, South China Sea. Meyniana, 53: 143-162. pdf

Popular science paper about the 210Pb and 137Cs dating methods:

Szczuciński, W., 2007: O metodach określania współczesnej akumulacji osadów w morzach. LAB 12(2): 12-15.pdf