Distribution Characteristics and Health Risk Assessment of 238U and 232Th Contaminated Soil in Uranium Mine
Received:May 31, 2021   Revised:June 10, 2021   Accepted:June 11, 2021      Published Online:July 29, 2021
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DOI:doi:10.3969/j.issn.1007-7545.2021.08.020
KeyWord:uranium tailings; 238U; 232Th; pollution characteristics; risk assessment
                       
AuthorInstitution
GAO Yang 东华理工大学水资源与环境工程学院
GAO Bai 东华理工大学核资源与环境国家重点试验室
JIANG Wen-bo 东华理工大学水资源与环境工程学院
ZHANG Hai-yang 东华理工大学水资源与环境工程学院
SHI Tian-cheng 东华理工大学水资源与环境工程学院
LIU Sheng-feng 东华理工大学水资源与环境工程学院
FANG Zheng 东华理工大学水资源与环境工程学院
DING Yan 东华理工大学水资源与环境工程学院
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Abstract:
      In order to understand characteristics of radioactive contamination in surrounding environment of a uranium mining area and health risks to surrounding residents, farmland soil and river sediments around mining area were collected, activity concentrations and effective dose equivalent of 238U and 232Th were tested and analyzed, and distribution characteristics of activity concentration was analyzed by box plot and normal distribution. With the help of geological accumulation evaluation model and potential ecological evaluation model, risk assessment of farmland soil and river sediment is compared, so as to perfect entire evaluation process around tailings pond. The results show that there is a significant correlation between 238U and 232Th content, which is about 20—40 times of the soil background value in Jiangxi province. Concentrations of 238U and 232Th drop gradually and then remain stable with increase of distance from tailings pond. Geological accumulation index of 238U and 232Th in stream sediments is slightly higher than that in farmland soil. Farmland soil in T1 and T2 points are relatively close to tailings pond, so soil pollution is more serious, resulting in geological accumulation index is much higher than that of other points, presenting extremely heavy pollution. Medium or strong ecological risk of Er(238U) and Er(232Th) accounts for 50%. Therefore, the survey area shows overall moderate degree, local points shows serious pollution, it is suggested to take control measures in this area.
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