Title: Radiometric ratings for phosphogypsum in industrial areas in Romania

Authors: Marian Romeo Calin; Elena Botezatu; Alexandru Erminiu Druker; Ileana Radulescu

Addresses: 'Horia Hulubei' National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering, IFIN HH, 30 Reactorului Street, P.O. Box MG 6, 077125, Magurele, Romania ' Iasi, 55, Stejar Street, 700333, Romania ' National Institute of Metrology, 11 Vitan Barzesti Street, Bucharest, Romania ' 'Horia Hulubei' National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering, IFIN HH, 30 Reactorului Street, P.O. Box MG 6, 077125, Magurele, Romania

Abstract: In order to assess the potential environmental risk of phosphogypsum and to establish a future and proper pollution management plan of gyp-stacks and waste dumps resulted due to the operation of former chemical plant, several types of measurements have been made. This paper presents the atmospheric radon concentrations measurements for phosphogypsum deposits in three areas of chemical industry. The average radon concentrations [Bq/m³] presented in mentioned locations are: 21.88 ± 3.19, 26.56 ± 2.90, 33.43 ± 3.64. In addition to the results of radon measurements, gamma spectrometry analysis was performed on samples of Phosphogypsum (PG). The radionuclide activity concentrations in various PG samples collected at different places in the stacks are given for: 226Ra, 214Pb, 214Bi, 232Th, 238U+234U, 235U and others. The resulted total activities in the three places of Turnu Magurele are: 1510.62 ± 148.08, 1838.77 ± 165.04, 1363.83 ± 147.96 Bq/kg and subsequently compared with uncontaminated soil values.

Keywords: phosphogypsum; radon; radiometric ratings; radiological measurements; TENORM; technologically enhanced natural occurring radioactive material; environmental risk; environmental pollution; gyp-stacks; waste dumps; former chemical plants; radionuclide activity; Romania; soil contamination.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2013.053619

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2013 Vol.16 No.3, pp.223 - 233

Received: 10 Dec 2011
Accepted: 09 Mar 2012

Published online: 17 Sep 2014 *

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