Radiological characterization and evaluation of high volume bauxite residue alkali activated concretes. (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Croymans, Tom; Schroeyers, Wouter; Krivenko, Pavel; Kovalchuk, Oleksandr; Pasko, Anton; Hult, Mikael; Marissens, Gerd; Lutter, Guillaume; Schreurs, Sonja
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental radioactivity. Volume 168(2017:Mar.)
• Page Start: 21
• Page End: 29
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: Activity concentration -- Activity concentration index -- Effective dose -- Bauxite residue -- Concrete; 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.2016.08.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0265-931X

Abstract

Abstract: Bauxite residue, also known as red mud, can be used as an aggregate in concrete products. The study involves the radiological characterization of different types of concretes containing bauxite residue from Ukraine. The activity concentrations of radionuclides from the 238 U, 232 Th decay series and 40 K were determined for concrete mixture samples incorporating 30, 40, 50, 60, 75, 85 and 90% (by mass) of bauxite residue using gamma-ray spectrometry with a HPGe detector. The studied bauxite residue can, from a radiological point of view using activity concentration indexes developed by Markkanen, be used in concrete for building materials and in road construction, even in percentages reaching 90% (by mass). However, when also occupational exposure is considered it is recommended to incorporate less than 75% (by mass) of Ukrainian bauxite residue during the construction of buildings in order to keep the dose to workers below the dose criterion used by Radiation Protection (RP) 122 (0.3 mSv/a). Considering RP122 for evaluation of the total effective dose to workers no restrictions are required for the use of the Ukrainian bauxite residue in road construction. Highlights: Gamma spectrometry was used to analyze concretes containing up to 90% red mud. The public and occupational exposure upon use in roads and buildings was verified. Indexes proposed by Markkanen were used for the evaluation of the public exposure. The dose assessment method proposed by RP122 was used for occupational exposure. Control of the incorporated amount of red mud is needed to obtain safe concretes.