Efficiency of transfer of stored energy from gamma-irradiated NaCl in aqueous ammonium nitrate solution

The reduction of nitrate to nitrite is studied by the transfer of energy stored in γ-irradiated NaCl crystals to aqueous ammonium nitrate solution. The G(NO₂⁻) values are evaluated under varying conditions of energy transfer from γ-irradiated NaCl crystals. Similarly, the G(NO₂⁻) value for direct radiolysis of 0.1 M aqueous ammonium nitrate solution is determined. The efficiency of energy transfer is the ratio of the G-values of the two pathways. The efficiency is 60% at low doses. It is explained on the basis of two processes. The first process depends upon the extent to which the energy can be stored in irradiated NaCl crystals, while the second process of energy transfer is governed by various parameters which limit the yield of nitrite.