<sup>7</sup>Be Levels in Sewage Sludge: A Baseline Study

Salih, Fadhil M.; Pillay, A. E.; Jayasekera, K.S.

doi:10.1081/ci-120037675

Cited by 7 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…The samples were prepared for gamma ray counting in standard Marinelli beakers. The detection system (Salih et al, 2004) consisted of a high-purity Ge detector (diameter: 59.0 mm, length: 74.2 mm) and standard electronics (EG & G Ortec, Oak Ridge, US). The detector had a relative efficiency of 20%, and its resolution was: 1.71 keV for the 60 Co 1.33 MeV gamma ray; and 0.807 keV for the 57 Co 122 keV line.…”

Section: Sample Collection and Monitoring Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The recorded gamma ray spectra were processed for radioisotope identification and specific activity. The software included a radionuclide directory, which was used to identify the detected radioisotope (Salih et al, 2004). The most intense peaks were considered for computation of the total activities (Faure, 1986).…”

Section: Spectral Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The gamma energy spectrum of 228 Ac was used to identify it (Salih et al, 2004). The recorded gamma ray spectra were processed for radioisotope identification and specific activity.…”

Section: Spectral Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…228 Ac is the daughter of 228 Ra that originates in the Thorium series (Bou-Rabee, 1997; Baggoura et al, 1998;De Moraes and Daltro, 2000;Spera et al, 2003;Chang, 2004). The actinium is in secular equilibrium with the parent, and its presence at elevated levels in the environment constitutes a significant long-term health hazard because of the well-known toxicity of radioactive materials (Faure, 1986;BouRabee, 1997;Baggoura et al, 1998;Salih et al, 2004). The existence of 228 Ac in petroleum sludge has not been previously explored.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Environmental Impact of using actinium (228Ac)-contaminated sludge as soil conditioner and sand substitute

Pillay¹,

Salih

Jayasekara

2006

Water Air Soil Pollut

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Low-level actinium contamination ( 228 Ac) of petroleum sludge is reported. The sludge is earmarked for road-building and soil enrichment, hence long-term radiation in low doses is not desirable. We subsequently investigated the distribution of this radioactivity over a one-year period. Collection was conducted at different sites, and the sludge was subjected to high-resolution gammaray measurement with a Ge detector. Samples of 1 kg dry weight were prepared in suitable Marinelli beakers and counted for 12 h. The approximate literature guideline for this radioistope in soil and regular sludge is about 60 Bq/kg. The levels in many of our samples were several times higher, and activities up to 600 Bq/kg were observed. The general distribution was studied; and suggestions for possible preventative remediation to deplete the activity levels in the sludge prior to its use as a building material and on sludge-farms are outlined. The study, therefore, formed an interesting contribution to research associated with radioactivity in the environment.

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Section: Sample Collection and Monitoring Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Spectral Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The gamma energy spectrum of 228 Ac was used to identify it (Salih et al, 2004). The recorded gamma ray spectra were processed for radioisotope identification and specific activity.…”

Section: Spectral Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Environmental Impact of using actinium (228Ac)-contaminated sludge as soil conditioner and sand substitute

Pillay¹,

Salih

Jayasekara

2006

Water Air Soil Pollut

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“…A schematic of the industrial plant appears in Figure 1, which is similar to the plant at the hospital (Salih & Pillay 2004 …”

Section: Sample Collection and Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury pollution from irrigation with treated sewage water (TSW)

Pillay¹,

Yaghi

Williams

et al. 2007

Journal of Water and Health

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The lack of potable water in arid countries leads to the use of treated sewage water (TSW) for crop growth. Mercury accumulation (up to 500 ng/g) in agricultural soil originating from daily irrigation with TSW was found at two sites fed separately from a hospital sewage plant and an industrial plant. A control site irrigated with potable water ([Hg] ,0.01 ng/ml) had much reduced levels in soil (,12 ng/g). Cold-vapour analysis of TSW revealed that Hg concentrations fluctuated widely, and were between 10-100 times higher than those of potable water. The TSW data originated from a total of 46 samples (1L each), from both plants, collected over a 6-month period. The Hg levels varied from 0.1 to 1.0 ng/ml, which suggested that the possible source of the accumulation could be found in continuous irrigation with comparatively higher Hg levels.Remedial measures could be approached from the perspective of curbing this inconsistency to produce more consistent Hg concentrations below 0.5 ng/ml. It was found that the electrical conductivity of TSW is a useful indicator to rapidly monitor fluctuations in treatment. A novel development in the study was the potential capacity of the plastic TSW discharge-pipes to behave as crude 'chromatographic' columns for possible Hg adsorption. If this property of the pipes is developed further it could have a considerable mitigating effect on the Hg levels. Possible recommendations for remediation to limit the Hg levels and promote sustainable development are discussed.

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