Use of thermoluminescent dosimeters for studies of the snow cover

A preliminary study has shown the feasibility of using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD's) to determine the water equivalent of the snow cover by gamma ray attenuation measurements. Small lithium fluoride detectors were placed at a convenient height of 1 to 2 metres above ground at the beginning of the observation period and collected afterwards to be read in the laboratory. Attenuation studies of gamma-radiation from point sources and natural background were carried out. The latter require TLD exposure times of several weeks. Point sources of 10 to 500 μCi located at ground level allow much shorter exposure times. In general the source strength is chosen according to height of snow cover and length of observation period. Advantages of this system are cheapness, flexibility, easy monitoring, simple field installation. Therefore it can serve a large number of observation stations