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Influence of Phosphogypsum Stacks on the Distribution of Natural Radionuclides in Surface and Subsurface Waters in the City of Imbituba, SC, Brazil

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Abstract

This study aimed to chemically and radiologically characterize the water resources influenced by a phosphogypsum stack in Imbituba, SC, Brazil and to identify the annual intake by ingestion. Surface water was collected at six points downstream of the phosphogypsum stack. Subsurface water samples were collected from a piezometer in the stack area. These samples were analyzed using a radiochemical method to determine the natural radionuclide content and an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry to determine the concentration of selected metals. The concentrations of radionuclides were also compared with current standards. The radionuclide concentrations in the surface waters samples were lower or similar to those found in other studies. The effective dose resulting from water ingestion is below the recommended reference levels for drinking water. Samples collected exhibited no increase in radioactivity, under the influence of phosphogypsum stacks.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) for the scholarship and financial support. Authors are grateful to Mr. Ferreira for authorizing PG sample collecting.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Engenharia Nuclear, Rua Hélio de Almeida 75, 21941-906, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Renata Coura Borges

  2. Instituto de Radioproteção e Dosimetria, Av. Salvador Allende s/n, 22780-160, Jacarepaguá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Fernando Carlos Araújo Ribeiro & Dejanira da Costa Lauria

  3. Departamento de Geoquímica Ambiental, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Outeiro de São João Batista s/n, Campus do Valonguinho, 24020-150, Centro, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Alfredo Victor Bellido Bernedo

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  1. Renata Coura Borges
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  2. Fernando Carlos Araújo Ribeiro
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  3. Dejanira da Costa Lauria
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  4. Alfredo Victor Bellido Bernedo
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Correspondence to Renata Coura Borges.

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Borges, R.C., Ribeiro, F.C.A., da Costa Lauria, D. et al. Influence of Phosphogypsum Stacks on the Distribution of Natural Radionuclides in Surface and Subsurface Waters in the City of Imbituba, SC, Brazil. Water Air Soil Pollut 224, 1540 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-013-1540-2

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