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. 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 Wisla 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 Wisla 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 as well as hygrophilous plant samples. The more amounts of 210 Po and 238 U radionuclides were accumulated mainly in the roots of the analyzed plant species. The significant source of polonium and uranium in the natural environment is dry and wet atmospheric fallout in the immediate vicinity of phosphogypsum waste heap and the transfer via root for distant areas. The general conclusion of realized study is higher influence of phosphogypsum on radioactive contamination of environmental zone around heap waste in Wiślinka (northern Poland).
Highlights
One of significant components of the Vistula river delta in northern part of Poland is phosphogypsum waste dump near Wiślinka village
In the analyzed plants species the highest amounts of polonium and uranium were found in ruderal plants samples as well as hygrophilous plant samples
The contents of 210Po and 238U radionuclides in phosphogypsum are immediately connected with the phosphoric acid production technology and concentration of these radionuclides in phosphorites (Burnett at al., 1996)
Summary
One of significant components of the Vistula river delta in northern part of Poland is phosphogypsum waste dump near Wiślinka village. The essence of radiotoxicity of phosphogypsum waste heap is gamma radioactivity, but very important are natural alpha radioactive elements, which are leached by rains and bioaccumulated in plant and animal organisms as well as in human organism. The principal source of uranium in the natural environment is the atmospheric precipitation of terrigenic material, as well as river waters and fertilizers. 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 210Po in the environment is 210Pb and 210Po falling to the ground from the atmosphere, small amount of 210Po 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)
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