Determination of natural radionuclides in phosphogypsum samples from phosphoric acid production industry in Senegal

• Published in: Environmental forensics Vol. ahead-of-print; no. ahead-of-print; pp. 1 - 8
• Main Authors: Ndour, Ousmane, Thiandoume, Coumba, Traore, Alassane, Cagnat, Xavier, Diouf, Papa Mbaye, Ndeye, Maurice, Ndao, Ababacar Sadikhe, Tidjani, Adams
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Taylor & Francis 02.11.2023; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Acid production; activity concentration; Bridge foundations; Bridges; Construction; Gamma ray spectrometers; Gamma rays; Gamma-ray spectrometry; Germanium; Lead isotopes; Natural radionuclides; Nonresidential buildings; Phosphogypsum; Phosphoric acid; Radioisotopes; radiological hazards; Radionuclide kinetics; Radium; Radium 226; Radium isotopes; Radium radioisotopes; Residential areas; Road construction; Sciences of the Universe; Gamma-ray spectrometry; radiological hazards; phosphogypsum; Natural radionuclides; activity concentration
• ISSN: 1527-5922; 1527-5930
• DOI: 10.1080/15275922.2021.2006362

In this study, the activity concentration of natural radionuclides ( 238 U, 226 Ra, 210 Pb, 232 Th, and 40 K) in phosphogypsum were measured using a low-background digital gamma-ray spectrometer equipped with Broad Energy Germanium (BEGe) detector. The mean activity concentrations of 238 U, 226 Ra, 210 Pb, and 232 Th were found to be 88.5 ± 19.5 Bq kg −1 , 879.6 ± 20.3 Bq kg −1 , 755.4 ± 17.1 Bq kg −1 , 4.5 ± 0.3 Bq kg −1 , and below the detection limit respectively. The estimated radium equivalent activity was found to be higher than the world recommended value of 370 Bq kg −1 but is within the recommended limit of 2220 Bq kg −1 for the use of phosphogypsum in the construction of roads, bridges, and foundations of non-residential buildings. The total annual effective doses received by workers and members of the public were found to be lower than the annual limit of 1 mSv y −1 , except for the scenario of a person living in a house built with building material containing phosphogypsum.