The distribution of U, Th and 226Ra derived from the phosphate fertilizer industries on an estuarine system in Southwest Spain

Natural radioactivity in farm soil and phosphate fertilizer and its environmental implications in Qena governorate, Upper Egypt

“…A study of the presence of natural radioactivity at a phosphate fertilizer factory in an area of south west Spain showed that significantly high levels of 238 U and 232 Th isotopes and 226 Ra were detected in water and sediment samples collected in this area. These isotope activities appeared to be very sensitive indicators of waste disposal practices in such environment (Martinez-Aguirre et al, 1994).…”

A sequential extraction procedure to determine Ra and U isotopes by alpha-particle spectrometry in selective leachates

“…This by-product is enriched in natural radionuclides of the 238U series [1], producing an unambiguous radioactive impact in the zone as demonstrated in previous works [2,3]. In fact, specific activities of 226Ra and U-isotopes in sediments of the fiver are distinctly greater than reference levels found in non-perturbed Spanish soils [4].…”

Distribution of uranium and radium isotopes in an aquifer of a semi-arid region (Manouba-Essijoumi, Northern Tunisia)

“…Cuttell et al (1986) already attributed low values of uranium activity ratios and high uranium contents in groundwaters to the rock matrix composition. The use of phosphate fertilizers could be a uranium enrichment factor (Martinez-Aguirre et al, 1994), but in that case the 226 Ra distribution is expected to be comparable to that of uranium.…”