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A Gamma-photoneutron Method for Laboratory Studies of Soil Water¹

ABSTRACT

The gamma-photoneutron method is unique among nuclear methods used to study water movement in soil because the heavy water (²H₂O) content of laboratory soil columns can be measured independently of bulk density of soil, soil texture, light water (¹H₂O) content, and type of clay mineral. The method requires a radioactive source that emits gamma photons in excess of 2.23 Mev and a neutron detector. The neutron detector measures photoneutrons produced when the deuterium nuclei in the gamma radiation field split into a photoneutron and a proton. The number of photoneutrons detected is linearly related to the heavy water content of the soil column.

¹ Contribution from the Savannah River Laboratory, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Co., Aiken, S. C. 29801. The information contained in this article was developed during the course of work under Contract AT(07-2)-1 with the US Atomic Energy Comm.

² Research Physicist and Research Chemists, respectively.

Received for publication July 28, 1969. Accepted for publication April 29, 1970.