About the Laboratory
The Radiometry and X-Ray Laboratory provides competitive scientific and technical support in the field of geology as well as in other emerging areas of interest, and is accessible to other interested users. It holds authorization documents issued by the relevant regulatory authorities, and its staff possesses demonstrated expertise—evidenced by a significant body of scientific publications and effective participation in national and international projects—with the majority holding PhDs in mineralogy and geology. The activities conducted at the Radiometry and X-Ray Laboratory enable mineralogical and radiometric analyses using modern investigation methods that complement traditional analytical techniques.
Types of activities
- Identification of artificial gamma-emitting radionuclides in various geological materials and environmental samples via gamma spectrometry;
- Determination of natural radioactivity (U, Th, K-40) and the anthropogenic radionuclide 137Cs in a wide range of matrices (rocks, soils, sediments) via gamma spectrometry;
- Determination of radon in air and water;
- Determination of natural background radiation through direct measurement of the ambient dose rate;
- Determination of the nature of mineralogical phases in the composition of various materials (minerals, rocks, soils, alloys, etc. – qualitative and quantitative analyses) and calculation of lattice parameters using X-ray powder diffraction;
- Determination of molecular group vibrations in compounds; determination of the presence and crystalline aggregation state of water (molecular or OH groups); determination of the presence of radicals such as ammonium, as well as phosphate, sulfate, carbonate, silicate, and other molecular groups, and the point symmetry of these groups;
- Precise determination of melting points and thermal decomposition points of various materials; obtaining data on physical and chemical changes affecting the mass, energy, and dimensions of a heated substance, as well as information regarding structural changes in a chemical substance under the influence of thermodynamic factors;
- Field activities (geological sample collection)
- Geological sample preparation activities (preparing samples for powder X-ray diffraction, IR absorption spectrometry, and thermal analysis—e.g., crushing, sieving, binocular microscope sorting, mortar grinding under acetone, etc.)
