All radium and radon in the earth comes from uranium.
Therefore, radium and radon are more than pathfinders: they are direct indicators of
uranium.
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With half-lives of 1622 years and 3.8 days respectively, radium and radon are so short-lived
that any originally present when the earth formed billions of years ago has decayed and what we
find now is all a direct product of uranium.
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It's the same nucleus, just a few protons and neutrons have been lost.
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The same is true for all the other members of the uranium and thorium decay series, except
for helium and some of the isotopes of lead, which are stable.
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Each of the elements in these decay series has a different chemical behaviour.
Lead is a metal, radium is an alkaline earth, and radon and helium are noble gases.
Each has a different half-life.
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The different chemistry and half-life means that each of these elements follows a different
process in its separation from an orebody and formation of a geochemical anomaly, giving
us a wide variety of geochemical techniques for uranium exploration. Radium and radon are
particularly easy to analyse for.
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Sometimes radon and radium are called pathfinders for uranium, as in mercury being a
pathfinder for base metals, but it's more than that.
As the same nucleus, they are direct indicators of uranium,
just as direct as measuring the element uranium itself.
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INSTRUMENTS
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We measure: radon - radium - thoron - radon daughters - alpha radiation.
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The
Lucas cell
is recognized as the most sensitive and reliable method for these elements.
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Our instruments are used around the world in exploration for uranium, oil & gas, groundwater and hydrothermal,
and in environmental protection, health physics, earthquake prediction, and evaluation of hydrocarbon and NAPL contamination.
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In the radon business since 1968, our latest major instrument update was 2015.
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Modern, low-power, field-rugged electronics. Some earlier versions still working after 35 years.
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Continuous real-time monitoring and data recording.
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Winter and summer, from the Sahara Desert to the Canadian Shield, our instruments have faced up to severe field conditions.
- Intrinsically safe functions.
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Sensitive to geochemical trace levels necessary for radon in lake water and for radon-thoron isotope ratios.
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Can work in a tent without electricity or be carried from point to point in the field.
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50 readings per day. Results available immediately.
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Rechargeable battery pack good for a long day in the field and recharges in a few hours.
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Can be operated by junior personnel if carefully supervised.
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Same instruments used for radon and radium in soil, sediment,
plant parts, rocks, water, soil gas, air, and snow, and for radon daughters in air.
- EPA compliant.
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Click here for more details of instruments.
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Click here for or other instruments, components and
accessories we provide
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Technical specification sheets and pictures of our instruments provided on request.
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Multilingual consulting and training (if required).
For instruments contact
R.H. Morse & Associates Ltd.
1-416-269-9979
morse@finderschoice.com
skype: robert.morse.toronto |
Robert H. Morse, Ph.D., P.Eng.
March 21, 2010
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