y2016m01b12
20160201103200
assa
nadine@assaf.org.za
assa
South African Journal of Science
S. Afr. J. Sci
0038-2353
1996-7489
02012016
Volume 112
Number 1/2
Radioactive nuclides in phosphogypsum from the lowveld region of South Africa
English
Xolani
Msila
Sasol Dyno Nobel, Bronkhorstspruit, South Africa
Frans
Labuschagne
Sasol Dyno Nobel, Bronkhorstspruit, South Africa
Werner
Barnard
Sasol Technology Research and Development, Sasolburg, South Africa
David G.
Billing
School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Abstract
We evaluated the suitability of phosphogypsum from the Lowveld region of South Africa (LSA), for the manufacturing of building materials, with reference to (1) the National Nuclear Regulator Act 47 of 1999 and (2) the radioactivity associated risks as quantified in terms of the external and internal hazard indices, the activity concentration index and the radium equivalent. The distribution of radioactive nuclides in the LSA phosphogypsum was also examined. Analyses of 19 samples of the phosphogypsum show that phosphogypsum contains lower activity concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive nuclides of uranium and thorium and their progeny than the 500 Bg/kg limit set for regulation in South Africa. The potassium-40 (40K) activity concentration was below the minimum detectable amount of 100 Bq/kg. The values obtained for external and internal hazard indices and the activity concentration index were: 2.12 0.59, 3.44 0.64 and 2.65 0.76 respectively. The calculated radium equivalent Raeq was 513 76Bq/kg. The final decision regarding phosphogypsum’s suitability for use as a building material should consider scenarios of use.
02012016
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/za/
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/za/
10.17159/sajs.2016/20150102
20160201103200
http://www.sajs.co.za/radioactive-nuclides-phosphogypsum-lowveld-region-south-africa/xolani-msila-frans-labuschagne-werner-barnard-david-g-billing
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http://www.sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20112_1-2_Msila_Research%20Article.pdf
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http://www.sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20112_1-2_Msila_Research%20Article.pdf
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http://www.sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20112_1-2_Msila_Research%20Article.pdf
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http://www.sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20112_1-2_Msila_Research%20Article.pdf
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http://www.sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20112_1-2_Msila_Research%20Article.pdf
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http://www.sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20112_1-2_Msila_Research%20Article.pdf
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http://www.sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20112_1-2_Msila_Research%20Article.pdf