Evaluation of radioactivity in the phosphogypsum stockpile of “HIV” Veles, the Republic of North Macedonia

Jancev, Mitko and Boev, Ivan and Stojanovska, Zdenka and Boev, Blazo (2020) Evaluation of radioactivity in the phosphogypsum stockpile of “HIV” Veles, the Republic of North Macedonia. Contemporary Materials, 1 (XI). pp. 27-32. ISSN 19868669

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Abstract

Abstract:The production of phosphoric acid from natural phosphate ore generates an
industrial waste product named phosphogypsum. Phosphogypsum contains considerable
amounts of natural radionuclides from the 238U chain, originating from the ore but enriched
during the technological process. In order to perform radiological characterization of the
“HIV” (Chemical Industry Veles) phosphogypsum stockpile, five phosphogypsum samples
were collected and analyzed. The mean values of gross alpha and beta specific activities ±
standard deviation values were: (950±104) Bq/kg and (1694±220) Bq/kg, respectively.
Further analysis showed increased gross activities of radionuclides of the 238U chain, while
the radionuclides of the 232Th chain and 40K were below the detection limit. The mean values
of the specific activities of 238U and 226Ra were (360±55) Bq/kg and (280±84) Bq/kg,
respectively. The estimated annual outdoor effective dose, at 1m received by adults was 0.25
mSv/y, which is below a dose limit of 1 mSv/y for members of general public. The results
obtained in this study show that radionuclides, although present in relatively high
concentrations in the phosphogypsum pile, do not imply an increased external radiation risk
for members of the population. The possible use of phosphogypsum in civil construction and
agriculture may not be excluded if conditions of prior good planning taking into account the
radionuclides activities exist.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: Natural sciences > Other natural sciences
Divisions: Faculty of Natural and Technical Sciences
Depositing User: Zdenka Stojanovska
Date Deposited: 09 Jul 2020 07:08
Last Modified: 09 Jul 2020 07:08
URI: https://eprints.ugd.edu.mk/id/eprint/24190

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