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A study of the kinetics of leaching of long lived radionuclides, from UAE urban soil

samples using Radio Analytical Techniques and Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Shashi Kadapa

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Outline

Abstract.........................................................................................................................2

1. Introduction...............................................................................................................3

1.1 Radionuclides Types...........................................................................................4

1.2 Leaching and Transfer of Radionuclides through Soil-Root Pathway................5

1.3 Soil Radiation in UAE..........................................................................................6

1.3 Aims, objectives, research questions, and problem statement...........................7

1.4 Project Timelines.................................................................................................8

Figure 1.1 Proposed Thesis Timeline..................................................................8

2. Literature Review......................................................................................................8

3. Methodology.............................................................................................................9

Figure 3.1 Schematic diagram of ICP-MS (Al-Ali 19)..........................................9

Figure 3.2 Schematic of ICP-MS (Thomas 39).................................................11

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Long lived Radionuclides in UAE Urban Soil

1. Introduction

Radionuclide is a radioactive isotope of elements with an atom having extra

nuclear energy, which makes it unstable. All elements can have radionuclides and

an example of hydrogen that has a radionuclide tritium. Radionuclides of nuclear

elements such as uranium have a much longer half-life. These are produced in

nuclear reactors, particle accelerators, cyclotrons, radio imaging and medical

scanning devices, and by the oil and gas industry. Large and continuous exposure to

nuclear radionuclides is harmful to living organisms. Natural sources of radionuclide

are from radon gas found in certain rocks, from cosmic radiation, from drinking water

and soil ingredients, and found in areas near nuclear reactor sites and power plants.

Generally, areas around nuclear sites are regulated for radionuclide in drinking

water, soil, and vegetables and plants (Martin 21).

While a nuclear accident would immediately render the accident area unsafe,

danger is present from gradual leaching of radionuclide from water used in the

nuclear power plants, from contamination and from other pathways, into the soil and

water system. Other pathways are airborne particulate matter that is emitted from

nuclear power plant stacks. These radionuclides are absorbed by the soil, they are

washed down due to precipitation and rain, and they enter the underground streams.

Plants and vegetables that consume these waters also imbibe the radionuclides,

which enter the plant system and they are deposited in the leaf, stems, flowers, and

fruits. The soil-plant pathway allows for long lived radionuclides to enter into fruits

and flowers. The amount of radionuclides depends on the concentration in soil,

leachability of radionuclide and the solubility, and the sorption capacity of soil

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particles (Luig and Kellerer 29). This research studies the kinetics of leaching of long

lived radionuclides from UAE urban soil samples using radio analytical techniques

and plasma mass spectrometry.

1.1 Radionuclides Types

As per their origin, radionuclides are present in four main classes in the

environment. These are cosmogenic, primordial, anthropogenic, and natural decay

series daughters (Sharma et al. 951). Primordial radionuclides developed when earth

was formed and have very long half-lives. Some of these are 40K with a half-life of

1.248 x 109 years, 232Th with a half life of 1.405 x 101o years, and 238
U with 4.468 x

109 years. Natural decay series are formed by the decay of primordial radioactive

isotopes and some examples are 232Th, 235U, and 238U. Cosmogenic radionuclides are

formed due to cosmic radiation and some examples are 14C and 10Be. The process of

decay is linked to emission of subatomic particles and the decay of these daughters

create about 80% of radiation. Humans create short half-life anthropogenic

radionuclides through nuclear power activity and weapons testing, nuclear fuel

processing, dumping of fissile material and equipment, industrial activity related to oil
131
and natural gas extraction, and other such activities. Some examples are I and
137
C (Patra and Chakrabarty 921).

These radionuclides can enter the body through ingestion from water and food
235
and by breathing. Among these, radionuclides of Uranium such as U are of

particular concern, since the use of nuclear power for energy generation is

increasing. Natural uranium occurs in the lithosphere and in mineral rocks of uranium

ore. While uranium ore is not very hazardous, the chemical process of leaching to

recover the ore is very hazardous. UAE faces the danger of anthropogenic radiation

(Solecki and Kruk 187).

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1.2 Leaching and Transfer of Radionuclides through Soil-Root Pathway

Soil-root pathway is important in transfer of radionuclide into fruits, since this

pathway is available for all plants growing in an area with increased nuclear

radiation. Particulate radionuclides, deposited on the soil are usually not easily

soluble in water. Rather, they are leached gradually through a weathering process.

The equation to describe the flux of radionuclides leached into soil is (Al-Masri et al.

325; Huy and Luyen 335; Chkir et al. 252):

dQ/ dt = - kwQ-kpQ

Where

kw is the leaching rate from weathering T-1

kp is the physical decay rate

Q is the amount of radionuclides deposited in the soil, calculated as unit/ L 2

When radionuclides are leached into the soil are sorbed by the particles. An

equilibrium of distribution is defined between the soil solution and soil particles, and

this is given by the expression:

Cp - Kd Cs

Where

Kd is distribution coefficient L3/ M

Cp is radionuclide concentration in soil solution, unit/ M

Cs is the radionuclide concentration in the soil solution, unit/ L 3

The total radioactivity/ unit area of the ground C total is given as:

Ctotal = D (m + Bd Kd) Cs

Where,

D is depth of root zone, L

m is the volumetric content of moisture in soil

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Bd is the bulk density of soil M/ L3

Assuming that absorption by plants is proportional to the plant weight and sixe

and soil solution, and then the relation is.

d (p x fg)/ dt = kb x fg x Cs - kp (P x gf)

Where P is the radionucldide concentration in plant, Unit/ M

fg is the function of plant growth (M/ L2 at time t)

kb is the uptake rate constant of plant (L3/ M/ T)

1.3 Soil Radiation in UAE

UAE has constructed a nuclear power plant, at Barakah and the plant will be

operational by 2020. However, UAE has a very large oil and gas industry, and this

industry has emitted large amounts of radionuclides over the past few decades. In

addition there is radiation from natural sources. The amount of radiation allowed

varies among different countries, and the European Union has set a figure of six

millisieverts a year as the maximum allowed exposure (Murad et al. 6159). While

occasional exposure to radionclides in small quantities is not harmful, radiation can

create health hazards when people consume dates, exposed to high levels of

radionuclides (Malek). Dates are very popular in the Middle East, and UAE residents,

consume large quantities of the fruits. There is a distinct threat to the health and

wellbeing of consumers, if the level of radionuclides is above an acceptable limit.

This research assumes significance since it focuses on radioniclides leached into

dates. Therefore, it is essential to analyze the amount of radionulcides present in

dates.

Published research on assessing the levels of radionuclides concentration in

UAE is scant. A few researchers (Murad et al 6159; Al-Amir et al. 692; Al Shamsi 10)

have presented research on the concentration of gross β and α in radionuclides in

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soil and water. The researchers collected samples of soil and water from different

locations and tested them using standard lab equipment. However, research on the

concentration of radionuclides in dates due to leaching is not available. This

research aims to fill this gap.

1.3 Aims, objectives, research questions, and problem statement

Aim of the research is to study the kinetics of leaching of long lived

radionuclides from UAE urban soil samples using radio analytical techniques and

plasma mass spectrometry.

Objectives of the research are:

 To contribute to the body of knowledge about the Naturally Occurring

Radionuclides (NORMS) and Technically Enhanced NORMS (TNORMS) data for

UAE.

 To generate data by the leaching pattern and the kinetics of leaching studies and

add to the scientific knowledge related to radionuclides/ metal leaching from the

soil.

 To identify indications about the extent and impact of radionuclide/ metal leaching

on the environment.

 To use the data on the effect of pH on metal leaching to find possible solutions to

control/ curtail the harmful effects of leaching.

Research questions proposed are:

 What are the kinetics and of Naturally Occurring Radionuclides (NORMS) and

Technically Enhanced NORMS (TNORMS) in USE soil.

 What type of data will be generated by the leaching pattern and the kinetics of

leaching studies and what scientific knowledge can be developed on

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radionuclides/ metal leaching from the soil?

 What indicators can be developed to assess the extent and impact of

radionuclide/ metal leaching on the environment?

 How can data on the effect of pH on metal leaching be used to find possible

solutions to control/ curtail the harmful effects of leaching?

The problem statement is “How can leaching and kinetics of leaching of long-

lived radionuclides from soil by agricultural run-off and borehole water in the UAE be

studied to reveal the concentration of radionuclides?

1.4 Project Timelines

The gantt chart given in Fig 1.1, illustrates the proposed project line,

milestones, and time required to complete them.

Figure 1.1 Proposed Thesis Timeline

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6167.

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