Exploration Methods: Radiometric
It consists in measuring the natural emission of gamma radiation to determine concentrations of radioactive elements in the surface rocks. This technique has basically two applications: geological mapping and identification of outcropping bodies with high content of radioactive minerals.
The existence of few radioactive series associated with the various known types restricts rocky areas under study such areas with abundant acid igneous rocks due to the affinity of such elements with this type rock. The surveys are commonly focused on determining concentrations of Uranium, Thorium and Potassium, for which there are spectrometers that measure the emission of gamma radiation across the entire spectrum.The elements are determined by counting the measurements within the energy intervals of each spectrum band. The technique is applicable on ground and airborne.
The Radiometric Method is used when providing the following services:
