Georadiological Barrier Gamma Attenuation Model for Waste Containment. II: Model Implementation

Herein, the Georadiological Barrier Gamma Attenuation Model that is developed in Part 1 of this paper, is utilized to estimate the attenuation of gamma $\left(\gamma \right)$ rays by earthen barriers of various thicknesses and material composition. Activities of radioactive isotopes are calculated and coupled with an exponential absorption equation, to estimate $\gamma$ exit intensities from these georad barriers. The results indicate that $\gamma$ attenuation by georad barriers is more significantly affected by barrier thickness than by barrier density. A 33% increase in thickness from $15\text{to}20\mathrm{cm}$ produces a 50% reduction in emitted $\gamma$ intensity, while a 33% increase in density from $1.5\text{to}2.0\mathrm{g}∕{\mathrm{cm}}^3$ produces a 19% reduction for a barrier comprising 45% sand, 25% clay, and 30% water (by weight). This model can be used to optimize barrier material mix composition, density, and thickness to increase $\gamma$ attenuation in emergency response at existing radiologically contaminated sites and during response scenarios.