A global radioelement baseline for gamma-ray spectrometric data

A global radioelement baseline for gamma-ray spectrometric data requires that all gamma-ray data be acquired and processed in a consistent way. This will ensure that all radioelement estimates are tied to (or are consistent with) agreed reference standards. The primary reference standards are the geological reference materials for laboratory gamma-ray spectrometry issued by the IAEA Seibersdorf Laboratory, Austria, in 1987. Two essential ingredients underpin a global radioelement baseline for gamma-ray spectrometric data (a) a global network of radioelement standards that can be used for the calibration of gamma-ray instruments; and (b) a set of standard procedures for the acquisition and processing of radioelement data. Benefits of registering gamma-ray spectrometric data to a globally consistent baseline include for example identification of uranium provinces, detection of uranium deposits, uranium resource evaluation, estimation of natural background and contamination of uranium mine and mill waste sites, assessment of contamination episodes, assessment of environmental radiation and geochemical baseline. Registering of old and new surveys to a global radioelement baseline is discussed as well as calibration facilities and global gamma-ray spectrometric coverage