Uncertainty evaluation in tritium activity assay in water by using direct liquid scintillation spectrometry

Tritium-labeled water is often applied to studies in environmental science, hydrology, biology, oil resources and other research areas. In most cases, the tritium activity is determined by using direct liquid scintillation spectrometry without tritium enrichment. A comprehensive uncertainty quantification is so important as accuracy and precision for analysing the results. This paper presents a discussion about the uncertainty propagation law and the partial derivatives method in the tritium assay. It also includes the relations between the tritium activity results and several input parameters. (author)