Tobacco plant as possible biomonitoring tool of red mud dust fallout and increased natural radioactivity

Abstract

Exposure to toxic heavy metal content in soil and inherent naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) needs to be monitored, especially after industrial accidents and remediation efforts. Just such an accident happened near Ajka city in Hungary; a large quantity of red mud flooded out from a reservoir. The afflicted area was remediated, and the red mud deposition technology was changed from a wet to a dry procedure. Concerns have been raised about potential hazards from airborne NORM dust in this area. The objectives of this study were to assess the use of explanted tobacco plants as an active biomonitoring system for airborne NORM dust and to reveal weather-related correlations of Po-210 in airborne dust. In 2011, 2012 and 2014, measurements were taken of the following at six monitoring sites in the polluted area and at eight sites in unpolluted areas: soil and tobacco plant Po-210 isotope levels, airborne Rn-222, Ra-226 in soil, Th-232 and K-40 radioactivity concentrations. The transfer factors (TFs) of tobacco were calculated yearly for these isotopes. Association of data with local weather features was determined. In 2012 (the windiest and driest year), the mean Po-210 activity concentrations of tobacco samples in polluted areas were significantly higher than in 2011 and in 2014 (p ¼ 0.044 and p ¼ 0.024, respectively). The mean TF of samples in 2012 was also significantly higher in tobacco plants grown in the polluted area compared to ones grown in unpolluted areas (p ¼ 0.020). These results presumably originate from red mud dust-particle adsorption on tobacco plant leaves. Tobacco plants are promising active bioindicators of airborne particulate pollution by Po-210 or other atmospheric NORM content.

Concentration of Rare Earth Elements (Sc, Y, La, Ce, Nd, Sm) in Bauxite Residue (Red Mud) Obtained by Water and Alkali Leaching of Bauxite Sintering Dust

“…Bauxite residue generated in the recovery and processing of bauxites is a source of environmental pollution [29,30] on the one hand and a promising object for obtaining valuable elements [31] on the other hand. Bauxite residue contains a high amount of scandium (70-260 ppm) that is close to its primary resources [32].…”

Preliminary Study of Cesium Immobilization in a Geopolymer Matrix

“…NORMs, e.g. red mud and fly ash, can be used as additives [10]- [12] and are usually deposited in huge amounts, which has a significant environmental impact due to the heavy metals they contain, moreover, can of course increase the dose rate to passers-by or workers near these deposits [13]. Therefore, a method is needed to reduce the environmental impact of NORMs.…”

Radon Assessment in Ceratophyllum demersum Plant Samples

“…The quality of air, water and soil must be preserved so as to establish sustainable and healthy living environment for human community [2][3][4]. Assessment of environment qualities has become a considerable research subject during the last two decades [5].…”