Adams, John A. S.2016-04-222016-04-221966Balacek, Kenneth Joseph. "Radioactivity in tektites." (1966) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/89901">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/89901</a>.https://hdl.handle.net/1911/89901Thorium, uranium, and potassium contents of 10 bediasites, 12 philippinites, 8 australltes, and 5 indochinttes were determined using a non-destructive gamma-spectrometric technique. The average thorium, uranium, and potassium values of the 35 tektites counted were 11.8 ppm, 2.1 ppm, and 1.9% respectively. The bediasites show lower than average values (7.3 ppm Th, 1.8 ppm U, and 1. 8% K) while the philippinites are noticeably higher (14.6 ppm Th, 2.6 ppm U, and 2.0% K). The australites and indochinites show similar values (12.7 ppm Th, 2.1 ppm U, and 1.9% close to the total average. The bediasites seem to be definitely deficient in thorium content. An average Th/U ratio of 5. 4 was obtained. Although valid regional differences could not be determined, a definite hierarchy of decreasing thorium and uranium values from australttes and indochinites, to bedtasttes was clearly established and confirmed by total alpha-counting methods. Both the individual Th/U ratios and the total alpha-determinations indicate a single related occurrence for the Pacific Ocean or Far Eastern tektites consisting of the australites, indochinites, javanites, and philippinites. The microsites of the alpha-emitters were investigated by autoradiography and it was determined that the radioactivity in tektites is homogeneously distributed and of a low flux.60 ppengCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.ThesisRICE0935reformatted digitalThesis Geol. 1966 Balacek