Natural radioactivity and radiation hazard assessment of industrial wastes from the coastal phosphate treatment plants of Gabes (Tunisia, Southern Mediterranean Sea). (September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: El Zrelli, Radhouan; Rabaoui, Lotfi; van Beek, Pieter; Castet, Sylvie; Souhaut, Marc; Grégoire, Michel; Courjault-Radé, Pierre
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 146(2019)
• Page Start: 454
• Page End: 461
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Subjects: Phosphate rock -- Phosphogypsum -- Phosphogypsum foam -- Tunisian Chemical Group -- Natural radioactivity -- Radiation hazard assessment; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.06.075
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: This work is a first contribution to the knowledge of natural radionuclides ( 226 Ra, 238 U, 40 K, and 232 Th) activities in phosphate rock (NORM), phosphogypsum, and phosphogypsum foam (TENORM) from the coastal fertilizer plants of Gabes (Southeastern Tunisia) and the assessment of their radiation hazards on human health and the surrounding environment. In the three studied materials, activities were found to be in the range of 35.4 ( 40 K)–375.1 ( 226 Ra), 10.0 ( 40 K)–220.2 ( 226 Ra), and 79.2 ( 232 Th)–1168.6 Bq kg −1 ( 226 Ra), respectively. Considering the studied radionuclides and materials, the corresponding decreasing activity orders were found to be 226 Ra > 238 U > 40 K > 232 Th and PGF > PR > PG, respectively. All human health hazard indices exceeded the worldwide recommended safety limits, which show that the workers in Gabes phosphate fertilizer plants as well as the neighboring human community may potentially be exposed to significant radiation, which may cause several diseases and malformations. It is therefore recommended to avoid and/or reduce the potential fertilizer industry radioactive impact in the area. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: We determined natural radionuclides activities in fertilizer plant NORM and TENORM. Radiation hazards on human health were assessed using four different indices. While 226 Ra > 238 U > 40 K > 232 Th, we found Phosphogypsum (PG) foam > Phosphate Rock > PG. All human health risk indices exceeded the safety limits recommended worldwide. Radiation exposure can be responsible for various human diseases observed in Gabes.