The impact of phosphate fertilizer factory on the chemical and radiological pollution of the surrounding marine area (seawater and sediments) in northwestern Greece

Abstract

Phosphogypsum, a waste of phosphate fertilizers production, contains heavy metals and especially radionuclides as 238U, 226Ra and 232Th. It is usually deposited in stacks close to coastal zones and the leachates with seawater result in chemical and radiological pollution. In this work the pollution in the coastal environment surrounding a phosphate fertilizer factory in northwestern Greece was investigated by measuring the activity of radionuclides (238U, 226Ra and 232Th) and the concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd and As) in seawater and sediments samples. The measurements were performed by nuclear spectrometry and chemical techniques in two seasons and radiation risks were estimated, by determination of indexes asRaeq, Hin, Hex and Iγ as well as absorbed dose rate D. The values were in the range of worldwide indicating low hazard. Moreover, several environmental indicators (HPI, MPI, CF, Cd and EF) were applied to evaluate the water and sediment quality for heavy metal contamination and the average concentrations of the investigated heavy metals, showed that there is no danger for humans.