Measurement limits to 134Cs concentration in soil

We investigate the caesium concentrations in soils in mountain areas near Gori nuclear power plant in Korea, focusing on the measurement limits to the 134Cs. In order to lower the minimum detectable amount (MDA) of activity for the 134Cs, we have used the ammonium molybdophosphate (AMP) precipitation method to get rid of the 40K existing in natural radioactivity, which reduces the MDA activity about 10 times smaller than those without the AMP precipitation method. The MDA results for the 134Cs were found to be in the range between 0.015 and 0.044 Bq/kg-dry weight. In order to diminish the background, we also have measured a part of the soil samples in Yangyang, a small town in the east coast of Korea. However, it turns out that in order to detect the 134Cs in the samples the MDA should be reduced to the level of mBq/kg-dry weight. - Highlights: → We study the caesium concentrations in soils in mountain areas near Gori NPT in Korea. → We use the AMP precipitation method to lower the minimum detectable amount (MDA) of activity for the 134Cs. → The results of the MDA for the 134Cs turn out to be in the range between 0.015 and 0.044. → In order to detect the 134Cs in the samples, the MDA should be reduced to the level of mBq/kg-dry weight.