Some naturally occurring radionuclides (NORM) in a river affected by acid mining drainages

The mining activities performed in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (south of Spain) have generated since long-time acid mining drainage (AMD) inputs to the Odiel River and its tributaries. These inputs are continuing nowadays, with origin mostly in the abandoned mines that cover the area, provoking a steady...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chemosphere (Oxford) 2019-05, Vol.223, p.536-543
Main Authors: Manjón, G., Mantero, J., Vioque, I., Galván, J., Díaz-Francés, I., García-Tenorio, R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Environmental impact
Metal mining
NORM material
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Summary:The mining activities performed in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (south of Spain) have generated since long-time acid mining drainage (AMD) inputs to the Odiel River and its tributaries. These inputs are continuing nowadays, with origin mostly in the abandoned mines that cover the area, provoking a steady-state situation where the river waters present very low pH and very high concentrations of different heavy metals. In this work, the behavior of several natural radionuclides (210Po, Th- and U-isotopes) in water and sediment samples collected in the Odiel River and its tributaries have been analyzed and their levels determined looking for assessing the radiological environmental impact of the AMD. •Radioactive NORM impact associated to acid mining drainage (AMD) have been analyzed.•Enhanced U and Th concentrations are present in waters affected by AMD.•Very high 234U/238U activity ratios have been also observed in the affected waters.
ISSN:0045-6535
1879-1298
DOI:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.02.059