Analytical methods for the characterization and the leachability evaluation of a solid waste generated in a phosphoric acid production plant

210Po sequential extraction applied to wetland soils at uranium mining sites

Former uranium mining activities have led to the presence of naturally occurring nuclides embedded in soil. Such activities have also modified the secular equilibrium between radionuclides in ²³⁸U decay series. The objective of this paper is to quantify the long-term effect of former uranium mining activities on the behavior of the final radionuclide in the ²³⁸U-series, i.e. polonium-210 (²¹⁰Po), present in soils. Soil samples are extracted from two uranium sites in France, specifically a quarried site and a natural site. The polonium distribution is studied within the various soil fractions, namely: water soluble, exchangeable, bound to carbonates, bound to iron/manganese oxides, bound to organic matter, and residual. ²¹⁰Po is mainly found in the residual fraction of both study sites (87-90%), followed by the carbonates fraction (5-9%). The ²¹⁰Po activity in the other fractions is very small in comparison with total activity.

A study on lead (210Pb) and polonium (210Po) contamination from phosphogypsum in the environment of Wiślinka (northern Poland)

The results of polonium ((210)Po) and lead ((210)Pb) determination in different environmental soil samples collected in the vicinity of the phosphogypsum stack in Wiślinka (northern Poland) are presented and discussed in this paper. The (210)Po and (210)Pb concentrations in soil samples from the phosphogypsum stack recorded in this study are significantly higher only in areas that are close to the heap. The relationship between atmospheric deposition and elevated analyzed radionuclides concentrations in top soil layers, especially in the vicinity of the phosphogypsum stack, was showed in this study. (210)Po and (210)Pb radionuclides were detected in concentrations which could have harmful effects on human health or the environment. The considerably high concentrations of (210)Po and (210)Pb in soil samples collected from the vicinity of the phosphogypsum stack obtained in this study can lead to the conclusion that the presently undertaken recultivation process is successful and the 300 m(2) protection zone around the phosphogypsum stack seems to be able to offset the negative influence of the phosphogypsum stack on the surrounding environment.