Low-level gamma-ray spectrometry for the determination of 210 Pb

A well High purity germanium (HPGe) gamma spectrometer with NaI(Tl) Compton anticoincidence shield recently installed at DTU Nutech and specially designed for low-level measurements was used for the 210 Pb determination in environmental samples. The system is compared to standard stand-alone HPGe spectrometers. The choice between high efficiency well and planar detectors as well as optimum sample size depending on available sample quantity are discussed. Results show that the only comparative advantage of the well anticoincidence system is when just small sample sizes are available.