Natural radioactivity and radiation hazard assessment of industrial wastes from the coastal phosphate treatment plants of Gabes (Tunisia, Southern Mediterranean Sea)

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2019-09, Vol.146, p.454-461
• Main Authors: El Zrelli, Radhouan, Rabaoui, Lotfi, van Beek, Pieter, Castet, Sylvie, Souhaut, Marc, Grégoire, Michel, Courjault-Radé, Pierre
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Environmental Sciences; Fertilizers; Hazard assessment; Health hazards; Industrial plants; Industrial wastes; Natural radioactivity; Phosphate rock; Phosphate rocks; Phosphates; Phosphogypsum; Phosphogypsum foam; Radiation hazard assessment; Radiation hazards; Radioactivity; Radioisotopes; Radionuclide kinetics; Radium 226; Radium isotopes; Radium radioisotopes; Tunisian Chemical Group; Waste treatment
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.06.075

This work is a first contribution to the knowledge of natural radionuclides (226Ra, 238U, 40K, and 232Th) activities in phosphate rock (NORM), phosphogypsum, and phosphogypsum foam (TENORM) from the coastal fertilizer plants of Gabes (Southeastern Tunisia) and the assessment of their radiation hazards on human health and the surrounding environment. In the three studied materials, activities were found to be in the range of 35.4 (40K)–375.1 (226Ra), 10.0 (40K)–220.2 (226Ra), and 79.2 (232Th)–1168.6 Bq kg−1 (226Ra), respectively. Considering the studied radionuclides and materials, the corresponding decreasing activity orders were found to be 226Ra > 238U > 40K > 232Th and PGF > PR > PG, respectively. All human health hazard indices exceeded the worldwide recommended safety limits, which show that the workers in Gabes phosphate fertilizer plants as well as the neighboring human community may potentially be exposed to significant radiation, which may cause several diseases and malformations. It is therefore recommended to avoid and/or reduce the potential fertilizer industry radioactive impact in the area. [Display omitted] •We determined natural radionuclides activities in fertilizer plant NORM and TENORM.•Radiation hazards on human health were assessed using four different indices.•While 226Ra > 238U > 40K > 232Th, we found Phosphogypsum (PG) foam > Phosphate Rock > PG.•All human health risk indices exceeded the safety limits recommended worldwide.•Radiation exposure can be responsible for various human diseases observed in Gabes.