UOE/2016/033/NT

Soil erosion, deposition and vertical mixing play important roles in determining the spatial and vertical distribution of soil nutrients and, as a consequence, in determining soil function. We wish to quantify the relative rate of soil formation and loss within a karst environment in south west China. The total soil loss will be derived using the fallout radionuclides 137Cs and 210Pb. The karst (limestone-based) environment presents a challenge for application of the fallout radionuclides because, where limestone is exposed at the surface during fallout, locally laterally heterogeneous distribution of radionuclides with runoff from the rock is likely. In situ measurements can provide a mechanism for assessment of 137Cs over larger areas that integrate the spatial variability, and expand our throughput of analysis.

We wish to purchase a field-portable high-resolution gamma spectrometry suite, which will enable us to make in situ measurements of 137Cs. The suite should incorporate a single high purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The sites we are likely to visit are remote in nature, accessible by foot only and with difficult terrain– therefore, minimal weight is desirable. Furthermore, it is essential that there is no need of liquid nitrogen dewars to be taken into the field.

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