Geological applications of gamma-spectrometry

A rapid indirect method for determining the radioelement content of rocks is furnished by the method of gamma spectrometry By measuring the energies of X-rays the concentrations of radium, thorium, and potassium can be estimated. This paper presents the theory of this method, its limitations factors affecting accuracy, and illustrates applications of the method with the results of several aerial and surface (auto) surveys. Several soil types, intrusive rocks, Recent sediments, and metamorphic rocks are examined by the γ - spectrometric method and interpretations drawn. — R. D. DeRudder.