Gamma background measurements in the Boulby Underground Laboratory

Abstract

To determine background radiation levels that might influence experiments, we measured in situ gamma-ray emissions at ten locations in the Boulby Underground Laboratory. For gamma radiation in the energy range of 7-2,734 keV, the counts varied from 6.5 to 28 γ s-1. For measurements inside the Lab, the arithmetic mean was 24 γ s-1. The sedimentary rocks that surrounded the Lab, halite and mudstone, were characterized by very low activity concentrations of uranium (0.8-7.1 Bq kg-1) and thorium (0.6-3.9 Bq kg-1). © 2013 The Author(s).