Presence of artificial radionuclides in samples from potable water and wastewater treatment plants. 2018

J Martínez, and A Peñalver, and T Baciu, and M Artigues, and M Danús, and C Aguilar, and F Borrull
Departament de Química Analítica i Química Orgànica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Unitat de Radioquímica Ambiental i Sanitaria (URAIS), Consorci d'Aigües de Tarragona (CAT), Carretera Nacional 340, Km. 1094, 43895, L'Ampolla, Tarragona, Spain.

Human activity, such as the operation of nuclear power plants (NPPs) and the use of radionuclides in nuclear medicine, results in the presence of artificial radionuclides in surface waters, which may even reach potable water treatment plants (PWTPs) and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). In this study, water and sludge samples from a PWTP are radiologically monitored. The incoming water of the plant is influenced by the presence of an NPP upstream. Two WWTPs receiving wastewater from medical centres and other origins are also studied. As a result, 131I, 60Co and 137Cs have been determined in the dewatered sludge samples from the PWTP, while 131I, 99mTc, 67Ga and 111In were detected in the sludge samples from the WWTPs. The radionuclide activities in the influent water from the WWTPs studied were lower than the minimum detectable activity values. Therefore, on the basis of our results, the analysis of sludge samples is very useful as it enables the concentration of any radionuclides that may be present in the incoming water. Lastly, as higher activity of 131I was detected in the samples studied, the total effective dose was assessed for WWTP workers, as they handle dewatered sludge containing this radionuclide. It can be concluded that there is no risk in terms of total exposure.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007457 Iodine Radioisotopes Unstable isotopes of iodine that decay or disintegrate emitting radiation. I atoms with atomic weights 117-139, except I 127, are radioactive iodine isotopes. Radioisotopes, Iodine
D011834 Radiation Monitoring The observation, either continuously or at intervals, of the levels of radiation in a given area, generally for the purpose of assuring that they have not exceeded prescribed amounts or, in case of radiation already present in the area, assuring that the levels have returned to those meeting acceptable safety standards. Monitoring, Radiation
D002588 Cesium Radioisotopes Unstable isotopes of cesium that decay or disintegrate emitting radiation. Cs atoms with atomic weights of 123, 125-132, and 134-145 are radioactive cesium isotopes. Radioisotopes, Cesium
D014865 Waste Disposal, Fluid The discarding or destroying of liquid waste products or their transformation into something useful or innocuous. Disposal, Fluid Waste,Disposals, Fluid Waste,Fluid Waste Disposal,Fluid Waste Disposals,Waste Disposals, Fluid
D014875 Water Pollutants, Radioactive Pollutants, present in water or bodies of water, which exhibit radioactivity. Pollutants, Radioactive Water,Radioactive Water Pollutants
D060766 Drinking Water Water that is intended to be ingested. Bottled Water,Potable Water,Water, Bottled,Water, Drinking,Water, Potable
D062065 Wastewater Contaminated water generated as a waste product of human activity. Waste Water,Waste Waters,Wastewaters,Water, Waste,Waters, Waste

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