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Sequential radioanalytical method for the determination of U and Th isotopes, 226Ra and 210Po using alpha spectrometry in samples of the Brazilian phosphate industry

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Abstract

The phosphate rocks used for the production of phosphate fertilizers present in their composition radionuclides of the U and Th series. During the chemical attack, the radionuclides are distributed to final products and phosphogypsum. A sequential radiochemical procedure was implemented to determine the content of radionuclides alpha emitters in samples of fertilizers and phosphogypsum produced in Brazil. The results obtained show that the levels of radioactivity present in the fertilizers are of the same order of magnitude on those found in the phosphogypsum, reaching values up to 1158 and 457 Bq kg−1, for the U and Th series, respectively.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico—CNPq, grant 300835/95-7 and 141792/01-9, and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo—FAPESP, research contract 1997/1597-6.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratório de Radiometria Ambiental, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN/CNEN-SP), Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes, 2242, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, CEP 05508-000, Brazil

    C. H. R. Saueia & B. P. Mazzilli

  2. Laboratório de Poços de Caldas, Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear (LAPOC/CNEN-MG), Rodovia Poços de Caldas—Andradas, km 13, Poços de Caldas, MG, CEP 37701-970, Brazil

    M. H. T. Taddei

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  1. C. H. R. Saueia
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  2. B. P. Mazzilli
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  3. M. H. T. Taddei
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Correspondence to B. P. Mazzilli.

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Saueia, C.H.R., Mazzilli, B.P. & Taddei, M.H.T. Sequential radioanalytical method for the determination of U and Th isotopes, 226Ra and 210Po using alpha spectrometry in samples of the Brazilian phosphate industry. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 281, 201–204 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-009-0118-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-009-0118-3

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