Feasibility of low-cost UAV-based gamma radiation surveys for environmental monitoring: A case study from the Třebsko Site, Czech Republic

This study investigates the feasibility of using a low-cost, rapidly deployable UAV-based system for gamma radiation monitoring. A UAV equipped with a GammaRAE II R dosimeter was used to conduct radiation surveys at the Třebsko site, Czech Republic. The system mapped spatial variations in gamma radiation and identified hotspots, showing strong correlation with previous high-resolution surveys of the area. Data analysis, conducted using open-source software, included altitude corrections, spatial interpolation, and statistical techniques to visualize radiation distribution patterns. Peak gamma dose rate values reached 1.276 μSv/h (altitude-normalized), with 11 locations showing statistically significant elevation (Z-score >3). While the system’s sensitivity is lower than professional-grade equipment, it demonstrated sufficient accuracy for preliminary surveys and rapid assessments. This approach, combining consumer-grade technology with open-source tools, provides a practical solution for environmental monitoring, emergency response, and educational applications, particularly valuable in resource-limited or time-sensitive scenarios. The results validate the potential of affordable radiation monitoring systems as complementary tools to traditional high-cost methods.