The radiochemical contamination (²¹⁰Po and²³⁸U) of zone around phosphogypsum waste heap in Wiślinka (northern Poland)

Abstract

The aim of this work was the determination of the impact of phosphogypsum waste heap in Wiślinka (northern Poland) for radiological protection of zone around waste heap. These studies are very important for the estimation of natural alpha radionuclides contents in the vicinity of phosphogypsum waste heap and for environmental pollution assessment of this area. The process of bioaccumulation of radionuclides in interior plants parts prove to examine their origin sources, too. The activity of (210)Po, (234)U, and (238)U were measured using an alpha spectrometer. The values of uranium and polonium concentration in water with immediate area of waste heap are considerably higher than in the waters of the Martwa Wisła river. The values of activity ratio (234)U/(238)U are approximately about one in the phosphogypsum (0.97 ± 0.05) and in the water of retention reservoir and pumping station (0.92 ± 0.01 and 0.99 ± 0.08), while in the water from the Martwa Wisła river they are slightly higher than one (1.03 ± 0.07 and 1.17 ± 0.06). In the analyzed plants species the highest amounts of polonium and uranium were found in ruderal plants samples (between 51 ± 1 and 89 ± 1 for (210)Po; between 36 ± 3 and 68 ± 3 for (238)U) as well as hygrophilous plant samples (18 ± 1 and 84 ± 3; 42 ± 2 and 130 ± 4, respectively for (210)Po and (238)U). The more amounts of (210)Po and (238)U radionuclides were accumulated mainly in the roots of plant species in comparison to green parts. The general conclusion of realized study is higher influence of phosphogypsum on radioactive contamination of environmental zone around heap waste in Wiślinka (northern Poland).

Radioactivity of honey from northern Poland

“…Long-term studies of the impact of phosphogypsum heap in Wiślinka have proved that this area can be a threat to the surrounding environment. Detailed studies of Wiślinka phophogypsum heap were described by Boryło and co-workers [6][7][8]21] and Olszewski and coworkers [22,23]. In this province higher 210 Po concentration and effective dose were also measured in Gdańsk city, where the petrochemical industry is developing (from 0.128 ± 0.005 to 0.142 ± 0.012 Bq kg −1 and from 0.094 ± 0.004 to 0.104 ± 0.009 μSv year −1 respectively.…”

“…The largest share (73.8%) in the value of the effective dose received by a statistical Pole is natural radiation [2]. Among the sources which have an impact on environmental pollution by natural radionuclides are: activities of mining and power industry and the presence of various types of landfills, fertilization; exhalation of radon 222 Rn from the surface of the earth and building materials [2][3][4][5][6][7][8].…”

Alpha spectrometry in radiochemical analysis and its application in the study of the natural environment

“…The lower concentration of these radionuclides in surface water samples taken from the Martwa Wisła river shows that the migration and distribution of polonium and uranium radionuclides from the phosphogypsum waste heap to the Martwa Wisła river was rather slow [35]. The maximum polonium and uranium concentration in the analyzed water samples was observed in the pumping station and retention reservoir [36][37][38][39][40]. In the analyzed flora organisms from Wi linka area the highest amount of polonium and uranium was found in ruderal plant samples.…”

“…The concentrations of 210 Po, 234 U and 238 U in the analyzed plants were higher in roots of plants than in green parts of plants. The highest uranium and polonium concentrations were observed for plants which are covered with tomentose [36][37][38].…”

The radiochemical contamination (210Po and238U) of zone around phosphogypsum waste heap in Wiślinka (northern Poland)

“…The principal source of uranium in the natural environment is the atmospheric precipitation of terrigenic material, as well as river waters and fertilizers. Moreover the concentration of uranium in the natural environment is increased by human activity including industry, fossil fuel combustion, metallurgy, oil refinery, nuclear industry, nuclear weapon tests, the use of uranium ammunition, the manufacture and processing of fuel rods, ore mining, as well as phosphogypsum waste heap (Skwarzec, 1995;Boryło et al, 2012). The main source of 210 Po in the environment is 210 Pb and 210 Po falling to the ground from the atmosphere, small amount of 210 Po is formed in situ as a result of the radioactive decay of uranium contained in seawater and additional quantities are emitted directly from the Earth as a result of forest fires and volcanic eruptions (Skwarzec, 1995).…”