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AbstractAbstract
[en] Large quantities (∼ 30 million tons/year) of phosphogypsum are produced as a by-product of fertilizer production in Florida. The sedimentary phosphate rock, used as the raw material for phosphoric acid production, is enriched in uranium and daughter products. Relatively high concentrations of some of these U-series daughters, particularly 226 Ra (av. = 910 Bq.Kg-1), prevent use of the by-product gypsum for construction or other purposes. The material is thus stockpiled on huge stacks which are unsightly and a potential threat to the surrounding air and especially groundwater resources. It is estimated that ∼ 109 tons of this material will be on Florida stacks by the turn of the century. We have been investigating the detailed radiochemistry of phosphogypsum in the hope that can understanding of how these radionuclides are fixed in the material may lead to cost-effective purification schemes. Our work has focused on the distribution of 226 Ra but has also included 210 Pb and 210 Po (av. = 860 Bq.Kg-1) which are also enriched in phosphogypsum. This paper summarizes the problems associated with this material and reviews its radiochemistry as elucidated by sequential extraction and other methodologies. We also present some possible alternatives to long-term storage as a solution to the phosphogypsum problem. (author)
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Associacao Brasileira de Ensaios Nao Destrutivos (ABENDE), Sao Paulo, SP (Brazil); 210 p; 1996; p. 72-94; 1. International meeting on industrial radiation protection; 1. Encontro internacional sobre radioprotecao industrial; Sao Paulo, SP (Brazil); 18-20 Mar 1996; 4 figs., 1 tab.
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Miscellaneous
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Conference
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ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES, BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES, BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES, DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES, ELEMENTS, EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI, HAZARDS, HEALTH HAZARDS, HEAVY NUCLEI, IRRADIATION, ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES, ISOTOPES, MEDICINE, METALS, MINERALS, MINUTES LIVING RADIOISOTOPES, NUCLEI, POLONIUM ISOTOPES, RADIOISOTOPES, RADON ISOTOPES, SULFATE MINERALS
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