Detection of ⁴⁰K

Application of radiation detectors: the gamma-ray signature of the ubiquitous, naturally-occurring and primordial radionuclide ⁴⁰K (Potassium 40).

Its is by means of radiation detection gamma-ray spectroscopy that the presence of ⁴⁰K can be globally assesses detected almost everywhere on earth, not only in soils (rocks, sediments etc.) and waters (lakes, oceans etc.) but as well in plants, animals and humans.

Because of normal biological processes, the number of radioactive decays of ⁴⁰K in an adult person are of the order of 4 thousands per second, i.e. 4 kBq in radiation unit.

There are cases when gamma-ray detection of radioactive materials and or radioactive contaminations must deal with the interfering presence of ⁴⁰K.