Soil analysis using nuclear techniques: A literature review of the gamma ray attenuation method

Pires, Luiz F.

doi:10.1016/j.still.2018.07.015

Cited by 28 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 122 publications

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“…Methods of image analysis such as X-ray Computed Tomography (CT), which is based on the attenuation of the radiation by materials of different densities (Pires, 2018), can assess the internal structure of soil samples and potentially quantify the penetration of paraffin wax. Since the development of the X-ray CT in the early seventies of the last century (Hounsfield, 1973), many applications of this technique have been applied across different research areas, where the aim was to study the internal structure of porous media (Ferreira et al, 2018;Carducci et al, 2017;Cnudde and Boone, 2013;Mooney et al, 2012;Vaz et al 2011;Pires et al, 2010;Crestana et al, 1985).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

X-ray microtomography to evaluate the efficacy of paraffin wax coating for soil bulk density evaluation

et al. 2019

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The paraffin-coated method is a well used approach to measure the soil bulk density (BD). BD is a physical property of great importance for studies of soil quality and health.Therefore, representative measurements of this property are highly valued. Resin and paraffin wax are utilized to coat soil samples however; if these materials ingress into the sample it could affect the representativeness of BD evaluation. The advance in threedimensional (3D) image analysis techniques such as X-ray microtomography (µCT) offers a great opportunity to visualize and quantify the possible penetration of paraffin wax into clod samples. In this paper we investigated porous system morphological properties of soil samples coated with paraffin wax. The morphological properties of the pores filled with paraffin wax inside the samples were also studied. We observed qualitatively that samples with large pores close to their borders were more susceptible to the penetration of paraffin wax. Samples with pores >10 mm 3 had the highest amount

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

X-ray microtomography to evaluate the efficacy of paraffin wax coating for soil bulk density evaluation

et al. 2019

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“…The intensity variation (dI) of a monoenergetic gamma ray beam transposing a material of thickness x (cm) is described by the expression [2]:…”

Section: Basic Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The gamma ray attenuation (GRA) technique has been applied with success in many areas of knowledge such as medicine, engineering, geology, environmental and soil sciences. The technique is based on the absorption of gamma radiation by chemical elements from pure or composite materials [1,2]. GRA is considered a nondestructive method that allows accurate and precise measurements of physical properties of selected materials [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Gamma ray beams interact with the matter according to the Beer-Lambert attenuation law (I =I o e −µρx ) where the mass attenuation coefficient () is related to the capacity of a material for attenuating the incident radiation. This coefficient is dependent on the elemental composition of the absorber as well as the energy of the incident gamma radiation [2]. The soil mass attenuation coefficient is also described as a measurement of the probability of the interaction between the gamma ray photons and the atoms that compose the absorber.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Gamma ray attenuation for determining soil density: laboratory experiments for Environmental Physics and Engineering courses

Pires

Cássaro

Tech

et al. 2020

Rev. Bras. Ensino Fís.

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In this paper, we present in details a method for determining the soil density of disturbed samples. The mass attenuation coefficient was also evaluated by using the relation between the number of photon counts and the path length (soil density ×thickness). A typical student laboratory setup (PASCO) was utilized in the measurements. A gamma ray source of 137 Cs and soils with four different textural classes were employed. The experimental apparatus here proposed, that uses an educational gamma ray attenuation system, permitted measuring, with very good agreement with the traditional method, the density of soil samples. The experiment can be somehow extended by proposing the investigation of soil bulk variations due, for instance, to soil compaction, a subject of interest for engineering and environmental physics students.

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“…Some decades after the pioneering studies in radioactivity, experiments using nuclear techniques started in soil science. To mention some of them, gamma-ray attenuation, neutron gauges, and monitoring radioactivity materials deposited in the soil have been employed to complement other conventional techniques in agricultural experimentation (Visvalingam and Tandy, 1972;Ritchie and McHenry, 1990;Pires, 2018). Among the nuclear techniques utilized in soil science, the gamma-ray attenuation method (GAM) has been widely applied in the field as well as in laboratory studies through transmission and scattering experiments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of nuclear techniques in soil science: A literature review of the Brazilian contribution

Pires¹,

Cássaro²,

Correchel³

2021

Revista Brasileira De Ciência Do Solo

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This review presents the basic research and some applications of the gamma-ray attenuation, neutron gauges, and 137 Cs fallout techniques for studying soil physical processes and properties. The selected studies aimed to give the readers a general idea of the use of these nuclear techniques carried out by Brazilian researchers in the past decades. It is expected to assist future researchers by identifying knowledge gaps and opportunities for applying the methods presented here. Around 100 studies were selected for this review. The papers dealing with gamma-ray attenuation are mostly related to the analysis of soil radiation interactions, the measurement of basic soil physical properties, the evaluation of hydraulic conductivity, water retention curve, and soil mechanical analysis. Neutron gauge applications are related to monitoring the water distribution and balance at the field scale, procedures for calibrating the existing gauge for the Brazilian soils, and analyzing the spatial and temporal variability of the soil water content. The 137 Cs methodology involves studies about the erosion and sediment deposition in small watersheds and riparian zones, the spatial variability of 137 Cs inventories at reference sites, and the measurement of sediment spatial distributions. Future studies with the gamma-ray attenuation methodology should focus on a better comprehension of the photon interaction with the soil and a correct selection of photon energies to investigate contrasting soils. This is mandatory for adopting it as a reliable tool for soil characterization. This review also revealed that the challenges for the future use of the 137 Cs fallout technique involve the continuous decrease of the 137 Cs activity worldwide, including in Brazil. Advances in detection systems (gamma spectrometers) will be required to overcome this issue. Future studies should focus on the use of correction factors related to the enrichment of fine particles during the transport of sediments to improve the estimates obtained through the conversion models. The use of neutron gauges to detect soil water content at the field scale depends on the adoption of reliable calibration curves. Then, comprehending how soil properties alter this curve and how it affects the water balance is a study of great interest. Motivated by strict regulations on the use of radioactive materials, the adoption of gauges with less activity is becoming a new goal. Thus, the development of more effective systems of neutron detection is crucial.

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Soil analysis using nuclear techniques: A literature review of the gamma ray attenuation method

Cited by 28 publications

References 122 publications

X-ray microtomography to evaluate the efficacy of paraffin wax coating for soil bulk density evaluation

X-ray microtomography to evaluate the efficacy of paraffin wax coating for soil bulk density evaluation

Gamma ray attenuation for determining soil density: laboratory experiments for Environmental Physics and Engineering courses

Use of nuclear techniques in soil science: A literature review of the Brazilian contribution

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