15 MN1007-C
3.3 Background Measurement
An important aspect which the operator should consider when assessing the relative sensitivities of the two probes
is the background radiation level.
The Geiger Probe will only be significantly affected by very local sources of radiation and will typically display a
very low and predictable background count rate - whether deployed onshore or offshore. A normal background
count rate of less than 1 cps is typical.
The Scintillation Probe has a much greater environmental background count and can be significantly affected by
local geology. The lowest background values can be achieved in offshore or desert environments but can rise
substantially onshore depending on the precise nature of the locality. The statistical uncertainty in background must
therefore always be considered when determining the sensitivity of the probe to sample radiation in any given
situation.
[See Section 4.7 for details on measuring and saving background radiation levels]
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