Contamination of settling ponds and rivers as a result of discharge of radium-bearing waters from Polish coal mines

Chałupnik, Stanisław; Michalik, B.; Wysocka, M.; Skubacz, Krystian; Mielnikow, A.

doi:10.1016/s0265-931x(00)00168-5

Cited by 54 publications

(14 citation statements)

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“…In spite of the spontaneous process of precipitation and then sedimentation in underground galleries certain proportion of radium is released daily to the surface along with the other mine effluents. This results in a significant increase of radium concentration in the environment surrounding collieries [5]. To control salt discharge into inland waters and allow suspended material, carried by underground brines, to settle, settling ponds were employed in coal mines.…”

Section: Area Affected By Radium Bearing Waters From Coal Mining Indumentioning

confidence: 99%

Survey of the impact of enhanced natural radioactivity on human and natural environments: The example based on PORANO project

2011

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Abstract. Technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive materials (TENORM) touch many aspects of our life. Alterations of the natural composition of rocks during mining and processing may results in an increment of radiation risk to not only humans but wild plants and animals. Each particular type of TENORM determines a unique scenario of exposure. The "PORANO" project is focused on three aspects related to this theme:• methods of monitoring of TENORM occurrence, • methods of applying radiation risk assessment, • regulation improvement. All above aspects of are considered -occupational, public and environmental risk. Also, the effect of associated pollutants interaction are taken into account. The mining industry, as a source of contamination for vast land areas, will be subject to major environmental investigations. The well scientifically justified assessment of TENORM impact on workers and the environment is the most important effect of the project. Developed measurement procedures, sampling strategies, risk assessment and mitigation methods will create a base for the improvement of national environmental monitoring. In the future all developed methods will be applied for assessment of natural background at sites for emerging Polish NPP as well as locations in the vicinity of radioactive waste repositories.

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Section: Area Affected By Radium Bearing Waters From Coal Mining Indumentioning

confidence: 99%

Survey of the impact of enhanced natural radioactivity on human and natural environments: The example based on PORANO project

2011

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“…The maximum observed radium activity concentration in the sediment reaches 15 000 Bq kg −1 . The total activity of 226 Ra and 228 Ra had been collected in the pond was evaluated in 2000 as 66 GBq and 100 GBq respectively [2].…”

Section: Site Of Investigationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phytotechnology – is there a possibility to use it for land reclamation of areas contaminated by Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials?

2009

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Abstract. Presently, excavation and shipping to a distant waste disposal site is the most commonly used method for handling waste contaminated with radionuclides. Due to international recommendation waste containing enhanced concentration of natural radioactivity should be treated in the same way. In case of TENORMs, which usually occur in huge quantity, this method would be very expensive and can be disruptive to the environment in which the contamination was found as well as direct effects of this pollutant occurrence. Biological treatment methods, such as phytoextraction or at last phytostabilisation could provide an attractive alternative to the excavation of waste. It is entirely possible that methods successful for heavy metals may be successful for the radioactive elements. Seven-years observation of the a settling pond contaminated with radium isotopes showed that even natural plant transgression into contaminated area can be an effective tool to stabilize pollutants. On the other hand, the assessment of the effectiveness of phytoextraction based on natural plants gave not so promising results.

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“…The assessment of the radium concentrations ( 226 Ra + 228 Ra) in inflows to the first settling pond resulted in an annual activity of about 124 GBq [13]. The calculated average radium concentrations in waters discharged to the pond was 3.6 kBq/m 3 Ra from 124 up to 1705 Bq/kg [14].…”

Section: Radium In Surface Settling Pondsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contamination caused by radium discharged with mine effluents into inland waters

et al. 2005

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Abstract.One of the most serious problems occurring during coal extraction in Upper Silesia in Poland is caused by waters with very high salinity. These waters often contain also high concentrations of natural radionuclides, mainly 226 Ra from uranium series and 228 Ra from thorium series. At least 70% of the total amount of radium carried by this waters remains nowadays in underground galleries as radioactive deposits. But, during the period of the most extensive coal extraction up to 225 MBq of 226 Ra and 400 MBq of 228 Ra were released daily into surface along with the other mine effluents. As a result of discharge of radium-bearing waters into settling ponds and later into rivers a significant increase of radium concentration in bottom sediments has been observed. Sometimes there is also a contamination of river beds, soils and biota. The paper describes results of investigation of waters and sediments with enhanced natural radioactivity, that occur in settling ponds, where mine waters have been dumped. Measurements of different factors of radiological hazard were made, such as radium content in the soil from ponds' banks, variations of gamma radiation background and radon exhalation. Additionally radium transfer to vegetation that had transgressed into the ponds has been calculated.

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Contamination of settling ponds and rivers as a result of discharge of radium-bearing waters from Polish coal mines

Cited by 54 publications

References 0 publications

Survey of the impact of enhanced natural radioactivity on human and natural environments: The example based on PORANO project

Survey of the impact of enhanced natural radioactivity on human and natural environments: The example based on PORANO project

Phytotechnology – is there a possibility to use it for land reclamation of areas contaminated by Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials?

Contamination caused by radium discharged with mine effluents into inland waters

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