The use of gamma ray data to define the natural radiation environment / Использование данных о гамма-излучении для определения естественной радиационной обстановки

The accident at the nuclear reactor at Chernobyl in the USSR in April 1986, and the confusion in the public mind over the nature and extent of the resulting fallout pointed up the need for more widespread awareness of the natural radiation background in which people live. An examination of the possibilities for acquiring these data led to the recognition of the work of the uranium exploration community over the years as an important source of, as yet. unused, natural radiation data. These data have been collected for the purpose of locating uranium deposits in many countries, frequently through the use of public funds or development funds. The most extensive effort was that carried out in the U.S.A. where the whole of country was flown with airborne gamma ray spectrometer surveys during the National Uranium Resources Evaluation (NURE) project. These data have been compiled and issued as background radiation maps that have been of great value in locating areas of potential radon hazard, in addition to their use in geological mapping and mineral exploration for a number of metals. They will be of fundamental importance in the International Geological Correlation Programme (IGCP)/UNESCO project on International Geochemical Mapping which has the ultimate aim of producing Geochemical Maps of the World. The IAEA is playing a coordinating role in the production of the Radioelement Geochemical Maps. This manual is designed to encourage and assist in the use of preexisting gamma ray survey data to produce maps of the natural radiation environment. <...>