Abstract:
In order to evaluate the extent of different sample thickness affecting the measurement of
137Cs and
210Pb in loess soil, a comparison between simulative calculation on detecting efficiency and actual measurements was conducted through using the Laboratory Sourceless Object Calibration Software (LabSOCS). An increase in the sample thickness results in a decline of the detection efficiency on
137Cs and
210Pb as shown a logarithm function (
P<0.001). An increase in the sample thickness from 5 mm to 80 mm results in 68% and 83% reduction of the detection efficiency for
137Cs and
210Pb, respectively. The specific activities of
137Cs and
210Pb in samples determined through the LabSOCS do not change evidently with thickness, suggesting that the LabSOCS can eliminate or correct the effect on detection efficiency resulting from changes in sample thickness. The sample thickness, however, has a significant effect on the analysis precision of
137Cs compared with a slight effect for
210Pb. A 15 mm sample thickness can be considered as a critical thickness for significantly affecting the analysis precision of LabSOCS. This conclusion is of importance in improving the analytical precision of
137Cs and
210Pb in soil samples.