Isotopic Map of the USA Project

If you see a radiation symbol ☢ in the blue box to the right, the map location markers are correct. If this symbol is not a radiation symbol or in the square, please consider anouther browser.

Radio-Isotopic Map of the USA Project ☢

In order to determine the isotopic composition of the United States, samples from around the USA will be collected and tested using Gamma Spectroscopy to determine the natural radioactive isotopes found within them. This data will be mapped to a United States map and used to derive a scientific document. In order to map the country, soil samples from natural soil will be gathered by the members of Radiation Network and several other sources on a volunteer basis. The result will be a full report, associated documents containing the results of the analysis, and a better view of the United States isotopic content as a whole. Those who participate will receive a short report detailing what was found in their samples, and by association a rough idea of the soil activity and isotopes in their area. Tom, an amateur scientist and professional computer scientist, will perform each test using his personal equipment and amateur skills.

Please note that at this time only samples from Radiation Network.com members are being accepted. At a future point more samples may be collected from the general public.

Click here for more information about Uranium, or here for more information about Thorium.

What are Radio-Isotopes ☢

For each element, e.g. calcium, strontium, hydrogen, etc, there are often several variations. When the stable and primary member of an isotope is studied, it is called by it’s normal name. As an example, normal stable carbon has six neutrons and six protons. 6+6=12, the atomic mass number. If we study a different version of carbon, we refer to the mass number of the different version, an isotope (being equal in protons but different in neutrons). Carbon 12 (the stable and abundant type) might have two additional neutrons causing instability and eventual decay. This new isotope would be 6 protons + 8 neutrons, thus Carbon 14. It is these isotopes which will be tested and mapped. The only stipulation is that they must produce gamma radiation in order to be mapped. When an atom decays, it (afterward) often ends up in an excited state. To calm down, it will release a gamma ray (a photon). Each isotope will product a specific set of possible photon energies, like a finger print. Gamma Spectroscopy is a method of detecting these photons and determining their energy, and thus their originator.

Collected Samples Inventory ☢

A Typical Gamma Spectrum

Gamma Spectrometer Upgrades - May 06 2012