Investigation of Salt Diffusion in Soil by Using Radiotracing Technique

Abstract

In this study, it is aimed to observe diffusion of sodium in soil samples by using radiotracing technique. To produce the radiotracer 24Na, sodium-carbonate compound was irradiated at ITU TRIGA Mark II Research reactor at Energy Institute of Istanbul Technical University. The irradiated sodium-carbonate samples were sprinkled to the surface of soil columns. Then soil was watered with representative amounts of water according to selected rain regimes in Istanbul. Radioactivity measurements were carried out by using high efficiency gamma-ray measurement system at the outside of the column for different soil depths in different times.