Methodology for regularity studies by precision environmental gamma ray spectrometry

Gamma spectrometry is a powerful elemental analysis technique for natural and artificial artefacts which uses high efficiency and resolution detectors for radionuclide identification and activity evaluation. Quality hardware and software tools are available; although we can deal with a large number of samples in little time, some matters remain tributary to fragmentary solutions, especially when it comes to build a database on common ground for several laboratories. Our current need is to generate a consistent analysis protocol, robust but also versatile enough to respond to actual and future needs. Our task is to develop a measurement method for non-standard samples and detection systems, including combined experimental protocols, along with the suitable interpretation, classic and quantum. This paper presents our potential solution for addressing this need, using prior studies and methods, extending the protocol, adding neutron activation and quantum correlated photon analysis. Uncertainty issues along with the simulation effort are considered looking forward to systematizing a procedure which includes isotopic pattern recognition, contamination testing, activity determination and sample dating; this brings robustness and reliability to our protocol, opening the way to trustworthy correlations for databases we are starting to build, the first being related to the Danube River, from the Black Forest to the Black Sea.