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The neutron facility at the 5.5 MV tandem T11/25 Accelerator of NCSR “Demokritos” can deliver monoenergetic neutron beams in the energy range from thermal to 450 keV, 4–11.5 MeV and 16–20.5 MeV via the 7Li(p,n), 2H(d,n) and 3H(d,n) reactions, respectively. The flux variation of the neutron beam is monitored by using a BF3 counter and a liquid scintillator BC501A detector. The 232Th(n,2n)231Th and 241Am(n,2n)240Am as well as (n,2n), (n,p) and (n,α) reactions on natural Ge and Hf isotopes, have been investigated from threshold up to 11.5 MeV, by using the activation method. The cross section values have been determined relative to the 197Au(n,2n)196Au, 27Al(n,α)24Na and 93Nb(n,2n) reference reaction cross sections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertical variations of radionuclides, trace metals, and major elements were determined in two sediment cores, which were collected in the marine environment of Ierissos Gulf near Stratoni's mining area. The enrichment factors (EFs) were also estimated and provided moderately severe to extremely severe enrichment for most trace elements and Mn, describing the anthropogenic influence in the gulf during the previous century. According to the applied dating models based on 210 Pb and 137 Cs, the effect in the marine sediment due to the exploitation of pyrite for the production of sulfuric acid during 1912-1920 was observed. Additionally, the decrease of mining activity during 1935-1945 due to the Second World War and the type of ore exploitation, the alteration of the exploited ores, and the construction and operation of Olympiada's floatation plant during 1950-1970 were identified. The end of tailing discharging into the marine environment during 1980-2010 was also noted.

Two sediment cores (coastal and offshore) and surface sediments were collected near an abandoned mine area in the marine environment of Oxygono Bay at Lavreotiki peninsula to investigate temporal and spatial variations among radionuclides and trace metals/major elements. Lavreotiki was and still is well known for the mining and metallurgical activities, which lasted from ancient times to nowadays (early 1980s). Gamma-ray and X-ray fluorescence measurements were held to determine the radionuclide and trace metal/major element concentrations, respectively. The sedimentation rate at Oxygono Bay coastal core was determined using the 210 Pb and 137 Cs tracers, while the enrichment factors were estimated to assess the anthropogenic influence due to metals in a spatial (surface sediments) and a temporal (coastal core sediments) basis. The mass flux at the coastal core was utilized to provide a baseline information at Lavreotiki peninsula. The trace metal/major element profiles were indeed associated with the mining activity in the area, revealing the mining history. The ERICA Tool was incorporated to estimate the dose rates due to natural and 137 Cs radioactivity in the marine organisms and the values were found below the screening levels.

The aim of the present work is the study of (137)Cs migration in sediment column taking into account the sedimentation rate in the Amvrakikos Gulf, at the western part of Greece. Marine core sediments were collected and the measurements were performed using the high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry method. The vertical distribution of (137)Cs activity concentration, as part of anthropogenic marine radioactivity, provided averaged sedimentation rate by identifying the depths of activity concentrations due to the Chernobyl accident and the nuclear tests signals. Furthermore, (137)Cs measurements were reproduced using the proposed one-dimensional diffusion-advection model which provides mainly as an output, the sedimentation rate and the average diffusivity of (137)Cs in the sediment column. The proposed model estimates the temporal variation of (137)Cs activity concentration from 1987 (one year after the Chernobyl accident) till today (2014)., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The in-situ underwater gamma-ray spectrometry method is validated by inter-comparison with laboratory method. Deployments of the spectrometer KATERINA on a submarine spring and laboratory measurements of water samples with HPGe detector were performed. Efficiency calibrations, Monte Carlo simulations and the Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA) estimations were realized. MDAs varied from 0.19 to 10.4 (lab) and 0.05 to 0.35 (in-situ) Bq/L, while activity concentrations differed from 7% (for radon progenies) up to 10% (for (40)K), between the two methods., (© 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Monte Carlo simulations were performed using the GEANT4 code for the investigation of gamma-ray absorption in water in different spherical geometries and of the efficiency of a NaI(Tl) detector for different radionuclides in the aquatic environment. In order to test the reliability of these simulations, experimental values of the NaI(Tl) detector efficiency were deduced and seem to be in good agreement with the simulated ones. In addition, using the simulated efficiency, an algorithm was developed to determine the minimum detectable activity in becquerels per cubic meter in situ as a function of energy for typical freshwater and seawater spectra.