Sterilization of sediments by ionizing radiation

Nearshore Baltic Sea sediments were exposed to ionizing radiation in doses between 0 and 35 kGy. The sterilizing effect of each radiation dose was correlated to alterations in chemical properties of the sediment pore water. The radiation affected both pH and redox buffering capacities, as demonstrated by titration data. The results also demonstrate increasing pore water concentrations of total-Fe, orthophosphate and sulfate with increasing radiation dose. We conclude that a suitable irradiation dose for the sterilization of a sediment with a minimum of synergistic chemical effect > 5 kGy but < 12 kGy. (author)