Total activity or individual nuclide determination

For many pollutants there are no binding figures for the maximum concentration in water. By way of contrast, there are precise, internationally recognized limit values (ICRP, 1985) for every single one of some 200 

Accordingly, if a definite hazard is to be assessed, i.e. if the exceeding of individual limit values is to be established, there is no further option but to carry out a selective radionuclide analysis when effecting measurement. This analysis consists of a combination of radiochemistry and spectrometry and can be extremely involved. 

The more simple method of measuring total activity is thus generally preferred to the determination of individual nuclides. The decision as to 

The term total activity measurement is, however, somewhat misleading. There is no method available which can cover all radionuclides equally. 

Even the total activity measurement displays a greater or lesser degree of selectivity, with the result that the selection of the method inevitably implies a decision as to which radionuclides are to be measured and which are not. 

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