Understanding the Geologic Causes of Variations in Natural Radiological Background - Research Area 2: Environmental Sciences, 2.1.1 Earth Surface Processes
Abstract
Although the sources of natural background radiation are well understood, the geographic distribution has not been characterized at a resolution that is adequate for a variety of homeland security and disaster response purposes. The primary goal of this project is to improve our understanding of the geologic contribution to natural background radiation. This understanding will be useful for developing strategies to predict the distribution of natural background radiation using geologic maps and remote sensing imagery, combined with pre-existing geochemical data. The geologic contribution to background radiation originates from both bedrock and regolith and is thus reflective of bedrock geochemistry as well as surficial processes. Thus the natural background at any particular point is governed by a number of disparate geological processes, including geochemistry at the time of a geologic unitÕs formation, subsequent alteration by geochemical processes such as hydrothermal and ground water circulation, and chemical modification caused by weathering and addition of material by eolian and fluvial processes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 11, 2018
- Source ID
- W911NF1510573
Entities
People
- Pamela Burnley
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas