Determination of artificial beta-emitters in sludge samples

Abstract

A method has been developed for the determination of two artificial beta emitters ( 55 Fe and 63 Ni) in sludge samples from a drinking water treatment plant (DWTP). The activities found for 55 Fe and 63 Ni ranged between (\15 Bq kg -1 ) and 162 Bq kg -1 , and between (\10 Bq kg -1 ) and 65 Bq kg -1 , respectively. Using the sludge activities is possible to estimate the activity of both radionuclides in the river water, based on the relation between the amount of sludge generated and the flow of the river water treated in the plant. Based on this estimation, it is possible avoid the use of time-consuming methods.