Effect of the pollutant burden of water on the behaviour of radionuclides

The authors describe the effect of pollution of waterways on the transfer of radionuclides. Their first example concerns modifications of the chemical equilibrium of iodine as a function of pH-value. Variations in the mobility of several elements under the influence of COD are then studied, and an example of how the mobility potential of a number of radionuclides evolves from the point of release up to the irrigation limit is presented. Finally, interactions between irrigation water and groundwater are dealt with. The work reveals four main types of factors capable of leading to synergic effects: physical factors (pH-value, temperature), chemical factors (saline burden, COD), micro-biological factors (BOD) and extrinsic factors (water regime, utilization)