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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #421064
Research Project: Sustaining Productivity and Ecosystem Services of Agricultural and Horticultural Systems in the Southeastern United States

Location: Soil Dynamics Research

Title: Mobile systems for neutron-gamma analysis of soil elemental content

Author
item Yakubova, Galina
item Kavetskiy, Aleksandr
item GAUTAM, SIDHARTH - Auburn University
item Prior, Stephen
item Torbert Iii, Henry

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/20/2025
Publication Date: 2/17/2025
Citation: Yakubova, G.N., Kavetskiy, A.G., Gautam, S., Prior, S.A., Torbert III, H.A. 2025. Mobile systems for neutron-gamma analysis of soil elemental content [abstract]. International Conference on Methods and Applications of Radioanalytical Chemistry (MARC XIII), Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, March 23-28.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Two main types of neutron-gamma analysis systems are currently being developed for determining soil elemental content in the field: Pulsed Fast/Thermal Neutron Analysis (PFTNA) and the Tagged Neutron Method (TNM). Both the PFTNA and TNM mobile systems were constructed and are now used for routine field measurements. The PFTNA system includes a pulsed portable MP320 neutron generator, three NaI gamma detectors (total volume of 7.5 dm³), Vega board split electronics for powering gamma detectors and separately acquiring inelastic neutron scattering (INS) and thermal neutron capture (TNC) gamma spectra, a neutron detector, biological shielding, a power system, and an operational laptop. The TNM system uses an API 120 neutron generator with a built-in alpha detector (YAP scintillator and PMT), a LaBr gamma detector (diameter of 89×203 mm), a 4-channel digital pulse Pixie-Net processor in desktop format with an integrated Linux operating system for detecting radiation in the coincidence mode, a neutron detector, biological shielding, a power system, and an operational laptop. Both systems were constructed on mobile platforms with a GPS module and are suitable for both laboratory and field measurements in static and scanning modes. The design of both systems, their geometrical and electrical schemes, working diagrams, examples of measured gamma and timing spectra, and measurements results (i.e., soil elemental distribution maps for the PFTNA system, soil spectra deconvolution of elemental components for the TNM system, and comparison of measurement results to other methods) will be presented in a poster for detailed discussions.