Potential radiological impact of the phosphate industry on wildlife. (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vandenhove, Hildegarde; Vives i Batlle, Jordi; Sweeck, Lieve
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental radioactivity. Volume 141(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 14
• Page End: 23
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Environmental radiological impact assessment -- Wildlife -- Natural radioactivity -- Phosphate industry; Radioactivity -- Periodicals; Radiation, Background -- Periodicals; Radioecology -- Periodicals; Radioactive pollution -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollutants -- Periodicals; Radioactive Pollutants -- Periodicals; Radioactivity -- Periodicals; Radioécologie -- Périodiques; Pollution radioactive -- Périodiques; Fond de rayonnement -- Périodiques; 539.752
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2014.11.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0265-931X

Abstract

Abstract: The activities of the phosphate industry may lead to enhanced levels of naturally occurring radioactivity in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. We performed a preliminary environmental risk assessment (ERA) of environmental contamination resulting from the activities of 5 phosphate fertiliser plants (located in Belgium, Spain, Syria, Egypt, Brazil), a phosphate-mine and a phosphate-export platform in a harbour (both located in Syria). These sites were selected because of the availability of information on concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides in the surrounding environments. Assessments were generally performed considering highest environmental concentrations reported in the studies. The ERICA Tool, operating in a Tier 2 assessment mode, was used to predict radiation dose rates and associated risk to the selected reference organisms using the ERICA default parameter setting. Reference organisms were those assigned as default by the ERICA Tool. Potential impact is expressed as a best estimate risk quotient (RQ) based on a radiation screening value of 10 μGy h −1 . If RQ ≤ 1, the environment is considered unlikely to be at risk and further radiological assessment is not deemed necessary. Except for one of the cases assessed, the best estimate RQ exceeded 1 for at least one of the reference organisms. Internal exposure covered for 90–100 % of the total dose. 226 Ra or 210 Po were generally the highest contributors to the dose. The aquatic ecosystems in the vicinity of the phosphate fertiliser plants in Tessenderlo (Belgium), Huelva (Spain), Goiás (Brazil) and the terrestrial environment around the phosphate mine in Palmyra (Syria) are the ecosystems predicted to be potentially most at risk. Highlights: The adjusted highlights Environmental radionuclide enrichment from P-industry warrants risk assessment. 226 Ra and 210 Po are the most dose contributing radionuclides. The total dose rate is strongly driven by the internal exposure. Natural background levels are to be known to assess the true impact of the industry.