Radiological impacts of phosphogypsum

Attar, Lina Al; Al‐Oudat, M.; Kanakri, S.; Budeir, Y; Khalily, H.; Hamwi, Ahmad Al

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2011.03.041

Cited by 49 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…This was due to the beneficiation process in which enrichment of the phosphorus content of the ore took place, causing, in turn, an increase in the concentrations of chemical and radiochemical impurities [2]. Similar observations were cited in an earlier work [12] when the radionuclide contents of Syrian PG were determined. Table 3 shows that the concentration of F − was 2.3% in treated phosphate ore, within the range reported in an earlier study, i.e.…”

Section: Heavy Metal and Fluoride Contents In The Materials Of The Phsupporting

confidence: 77%

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Case study: heavy metals and fluoride contents in the materials of Syrian phosphate industry and in the vicinity of phosphogypsum piles

Attar

Al‐Oudat

Shamali

et al. 2012

Environmental Technology

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This study focuses on the determination of heavy metals and fluoride concentrations in the Syrian phosphate industry and in the vicinity of the phosphogypsum (PG) piles. Four sampling campaigns were carried out, in which 86 soil, 139 plant, 30 air particulate, 16 water, 12 PG, 6 phosphate ore (raw and treated) and 3 fertilizer samples were collected. Differential pulse anode stripping voltammetry was used for Pb and Cd determination, atomic absorption spectrometry was used for Zn, Cr and Cu determination, and instrumental neutron activation analysis was used for Se, Ni, As and Hg determination. Fluoride concentration was determined via fluoride ion selective electrode. The data revealed that most of the heavy metals were retained in the fertilizer. Fluoride content in PG was 0.47%. The presence of PG piles showed no impact on the run-off and ground and lake waters in the area. However, fluoride concentration was double the permissible airborne threshold in the sites to the east of the PG piles because of the prevailing wind in the region. Similarly, enhanced concentrations of fluoride were recorded for the eastern soil samples. The content of heavy metals in plants was element- and plant-specific and influenced by the element concentration in soil, the soil texture and the pH. The maximal mean of fluoride was found in the plants species of the eastern sites (699 mg kg(-1)), which mainly related to PG erosion and airborne deposition. Thus, the main impact of the PG piles was to increase the concentration of fluoride in the surrounding area. A national action should be taken to regulate PG piles.

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Section: Heavy Metal and Fluoride Contents In The Materials Of The Phsupporting

confidence: 77%

“…Storing PG as open piles exposed to various weathering conditions may lead to contamination of the compartments of the surrounding environmental system. Limited studies have investigated the environmental assessment of PG piles in Syria [11,12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Case study: heavy metals and fluoride contents in the materials of Syrian phosphate industry and in the vicinity of phosphogypsum piles

Attar

Al‐Oudat

Shamali

et al. 2012

Environmental Technology

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“…The mean radioactivity concentration of 226 Ra (average: 462 Bq/kg) was plotted together with the global stats for immediate comparison ( Fig. 4; Fukuma et al, 2000;Beretka, 1990;Al-Attar et al 2011;Okeji et al, 2011;El-Didamony et al, 2013;Bituh et al, 2009;Roessler et al, 1979;Papastefanou et al, 2006;Luther et al, 1993;Fourati and Faludi, 1988;Maiche and Scott et al, 1991;Azouazi et al, 2001;Kobal et al, 1990;Villalobos et al, 2010). It is evident that the PG deposited in Schistos waste site has typical values of radioactivity concentrations, rather low compared to the global statistics.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of phosphogypsum deposited in Schistos remediated waste site (Piraeus, Greece)

Papageorgiou

Γοδελίτσας

Xanthos

et al. 2014

Uranium - Past and Future Challenges

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Abstract. The operation of a phosphate fertilizer industry in Drapetsona, near Piraeus port (Greece), resulted in the deposition of 10 million tons of phosphogypsum(PG) into an old limestone quarry, in the period 1979-1989. The whole deposit has been recently remediated using geomembranes and thick soil cover with vegetation. The purpose of the present study was to characterize representative samples of that phosphogypsum, using diffraction (powder-XRD), microscopic (SEM-EDS), analytical (ICP-MS), and spectroscopic techniques (High-resolution γ-ray spectrometry and XRF). The material contains crystalline gypsum (CaSO 4 .2H 2 O) and Ca-Si-Al-S-F (chukhrovite-type/ meniaylovite) phases. The natural radioactivity is mainly due to the 238 U series and particularly 226 Ra (average: 462 Bq/kg), which is relatively low compared to PG from the rest of the world. Furthermore, leaching experiments using local (Attica) rainwater, together with ICP-MS, were performed to assess the potential release of elements in the environment.

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“…Phosphogypsum (PG) is a Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) generated as a waste product during the "wet process" of phosphoric acid production (1)(2)(3). PG radioactivity originates from the natural radioactivity of phosphate ore -a raw material used in the production.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…PG contains different quantities of natural radionuclides, mostly 226 Ra, which incorporate into it during phosphate ore processing (4). As a waste product, PG is usually deposited near factories; however, during the last decade, investigations have focused on its use in agriculture, as building material, and as backfill for road construction (2,4,(5)(6)(7)(8)(9).The Republic of Croatia has only one PG deposition site, located at the edge of the Lonjsko Polje Nature Park. So far, ~4 million tonnes of PG have been deposited there (10).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring and modelling the radiological impact of a phosphogypsum deposition site on the surrounding environment / Mjerenje i modeliranje radiološkog utjecaja odlagališta fosfogipsa na okoliš

Bituh

Petrinec

Skoko

et al. 2015

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology

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Phosphogypsum (PG) is a waste product (residue) from the production of phosphoric acid characterized by technologically enhanced natural radioactivity. Croatia’s largest PG deposition site is situated at the edge of Lonjsko Polje Nature Park, a sensitive ecosystem possibly endangered by PG particles. This field study investigates two aspects relevant for the general radiological impact of PG: risk assessment for the environment and risk assessment for occupationally exposed workers and local inhabitants. Activity concentrations of natural radionuclides (238U, 235U, 232Th, 226Ra, 210Pb, and 40K) were measured in the PG (at the deposition site), soil, and grass samples (in the vicinity of the site). The ERICA Assessment Tool was used to estimate the radiological impact of PG particles on non-human biota of the Lonjsko Polje Nature Park. The average annual effective dose for occupationally exposed workers was 0.4 mSv which was within the worldwide range.

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Radiological impacts of phosphogypsum

Cited by 49 publications

References 21 publications

Case study: heavy metals and fluoride contents in the materials of Syrian phosphate industry and in the vicinity of phosphogypsum piles

Case study: heavy metals and fluoride contents in the materials of Syrian phosphate industry and in the vicinity of phosphogypsum piles

Characterization of phosphogypsum deposited in Schistos remediated waste site (Piraeus, Greece)

Measuring and modelling the radiological impact of a phosphogypsum deposition site on the surrounding environment / Mjerenje i modeliranje radiološkog utjecaja odlagališta fosfogipsa na okoliš

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