210Pb distribution in riverwaters and sediments near phosphate fertilizer factories

Abstract

two fertilizer factories operate at the estuary formed by the Odiel and Tinto rivers in Southwestern Spain. In previous work the authors have shown that such operation enhances the natural radionuclide background of the sea. Thus, fairly high levels of U, Th and Ra-isotopes were found in water and sediment samples taken from the estuary. In this paper, we have extended the study to investigate the presence of 210Pb in the dissolved aqueous phase of the river and in bottom sediments. Significant enhancement of 210Pb concentrations have been detected confirming the previously reported results.