Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Hand-held gamma-ray transmission equipment for the measurement of bulk density of field soils

1971; Elsevier BV; Volume: 16; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0021-8634(71)80029-x

1095-9246

B.D. Soane, Donald J. Campbell, Sharon Herkes,

Mineral Processing and Grinding

A simple gamma-ray transmission probe and sealer/timer unit has been developed for the measurement of the bulk density of field soils. Tests showed that, within the limits of accuracy required for field studies, a single calibration relationship between count rate and wet bulk density could be used without dependence on moisture content or soil type. The determination of bulk density in the field by the hand-held gamma-ray transmission equipment was shown to be as accurate as a core sampling method and was up to 3 times faster. The equipment has been found reliable under a wide range of field conditions but readings obtained within 10 cm of the surface may be in error unless an absorber block is placed on the surface. Users of this equipment are advised to undertake calibration tests appropriate to the mode of use.