Radiological characterisation of disposed phosphogypsum in Brazil: evaluation of the occupational exposure and environmental impact

Radiation Protection Dosimetry
A J G SantosD I T Fávaro

Abstract

Phosphogypsum, a waste by-product derived from the wet process production of phosphoric acid, represents a serious problem facing the phosphate industry in Brazil. This by-product (mainly calcium sulphate dihydrate) precipitates during the reaction of sulphuric acid with phosphate rock and is stored at a rate of about 4x10(6) kg per day on several piles in Cubatão, Brazil. Contents of natural radionuclides from thorium and uranium series were measured in Brazilian phosphogypsum samples from disposal piles, using high-resolution gamma ray spectrometry and instrumental neutron activation analysis (NAA). These phosphogypsum piles present a potential threat to the surrounding environment and to the individual occupationally exposed. The results obtained in this study show that radionuclides, although present in relatively high concentrations in phosphogypsum, do not imply in significant doses for individuals occupationally exposed. The results obtained for the water activity in the monitor wells showed that the run-off of the piles is influenced by the activity present in the piles, giving indication of a possible groundwater contamination. Sediments from rivers in the area of influence of the pile presented higher concentrations o...Continue Reading

References

May 31, 2001·Journal of Environmental Radioactivity·M AzouaziM Benmansour
May 31, 2001·Journal of Environmental Radioactivity·J de OliveiraE Bambalas
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Jul 22, 2004·Radiation Protection Dosimetry·Marcelo Francis Máduar, Goro Hiromoto

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Citations

Sep 3, 2013·Journal of Hazardous Materials·Tomislav BituhIvica Prlić
Jul 16, 2008·Journal of Hazardous Materials·Tomislav BituhMaja Bronzovic
Sep 13, 2008·Journal of Applied Toxicology : JAT·Ksenija DurgoJasna Franekić Colić
Jul 20, 2006·Journal of Environmental Radioactivity·C H R Saueia, B P Mazzilli
Dec 17, 2014·Journal of Environmental Radioactivity·Hildegarde VandenhoveLieve Sweeck
Sep 21, 2013·Journal of Environmental Radioactivity·Renata Coura BorgesAlfredo Victor Bellido Bernedo
Oct 28, 2015·Scientific Reports·Yaxi LiuYouliang Zheng
Apr 26, 2021·Environmental Pollution·Nitai AmielBrian Berkowitz

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