Glycymeris Longior shells, an alternative gamma radiation reference detector

Abstract

Gamma irradiation of biogenic calcium carbonate, from fossil shells of species Glycymeris Longior, results in the formation of CO 2− centers, as measured by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The spectral line intensity increases linearly with increasing dose, without distortion, up to 50Gy. Fitting of the data yields the equation, Dose[Gy]=-0.8(0.6)+0.0258(0.0004)×[dχ"/dH]pp/mg.Over a year control measurements show no significative change in the data.