Demonstrating the European capability for airborne gamma spectrometry: Results from the ECCOMAGS exercise

Sanderson, D.C.W., Cresswell, A.J., Scott, E.M. and Lang, J.J. (2004) Demonstrating the European capability for airborne gamma spectrometry: Results from the ECCOMAGS exercise. Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 109(1-2), pp. 119-125. (doi: 10.1093/rpd/nch243)

Abstract

Airborne gamma spectrometry (AGS) is being increasingly recognised as an important means for mapping environmental radioactivity in emergency response. Progress has been made in recent years towards methodological convergence and cooperation between European teams. Recently, an international comparison was undertaken in SW Scotland in 2002 to evaluate AGS and ground-based methods. Teams from 18 institutions in 10 European countries attended, collecting some 140,000 AGS spectra, with 750 laboratory gamma spectrometry analyses and 120 in situ observations from the ground sites. Comparisons between AGS and ground-based methods have confirmed the validity of AGS protocols. A composite mapping task, where AGS teams recorded data over adjacent parts of a 90 x 40 km(2) area within a few days, confirmed the ability of teams to work together in an effective manner. This paper provides a summary of the results of the exercise. These demonstrate the operational capabilities of European AGS teams and confirm the quantitative nature of the method.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Cresswell, Dr Alan and Sanderson, Professor David
• Authors: Sanderson, D.C.W., Cresswell, A.J., Scott, E.M., and Lang, J.J.
• Subjects: Q Science > QC Physics; Q Science > QD Chemistry
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
• Journal Name: Radiation Protection Dosimetry
• ISSN: 0144-8420