Fate of radionuclides present in Indian fly ashes on its application as soil ameliorant

Abstract

Natural radioactivity depends primarily on the geological and geographical conditions, and appears at different levels in the soils. Coal contains various organic and inorganic substances including trace quantities of the naturally occurring radionuclides, which are of human health concern. The combustion of coals releases natural radioactive elements in the form of their oxides to the environment. In view of the current researches on fly ash (FA) applications as soil ameliorants, the present study deals with the presence of the natural radionuclides ((226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K) in the coal ash and their mobilisation through the amendment of coal ash to the soil and crop produce. The study shows the variation in the content of radionuclides in soil, FA and crop produce depending on types of soil and FA, mobilisation of the radionuclides from soil/FA to the plant and interactions between radionuclides and soil, etc. The content of the radionuclides in the soil, FA and crop produce is within the permissible limits.