Natural radioactivity in groundwaters around a fertilizer factory complex in South of Spain

Abstract

A study of the concentration of the U isotopes, 226Ra and 230Th in a groundwater system has been carried out. This aquifer, located in the provinces of Sevilla and Huelva, is the most important in the south of Spain having a surface area of 2500 km 2 . The proximity of a fertilizer factory complex to this aquifer system is of particular concern given that it releases a significant part of its waste directly into the estuary of the Odiel and Tinto rivers, also storing a further part on the right bank of the Tinto river. Investigation has been made of the environmental impact of the fertilizer factory, either as a result of leaching of radionuclides from the phosphogypsum piles or otherwise as a result of intrusion of the Odiel and Tinto waters, both of which are in close contact with the aquifer. Results show U concentration in waters of this system around the phosphogypsum piles to be significantly higher than those in other areas of the same aquifer. The low 226Ra concentrations found in the same locations add support to the origin of part of the U in these samples.