Identification and Quantification of Radionuclides in Contaminated Drinking Waters and Pipeline Deposits

Application of multiple quench parameters for confirmation of radionuclide identity in radioanalytical quality control

Robust and reliable radiochemical analysis is the key factor in the appropriate disposal and management of radioactive wastes arising from the nuclear industry, decommissioning projects, medical, and scientific institutions. There is an ever increasing number of challenging projects that involve rapid analysis of large batches of samples and require rigorous quality control systems capable of positively identifying incorrect or questionable results which may lead to costly consequences at the latter stages of the waste disposal process. Combination of SQP(E) and SQPI LSC spectral parameters allows for quick and reliable checking of large datasets without the need for individual manual spectrum checks.

Rapid on-site radionuclide screening of aqueous waste streams using dip-stick technologies and liquid scintillation counting

This paper describes an early-stage evaluation of a purpose-designed extraction/detection system that can be deployed by non-specialists either on-site or as part of a mobile laboratory. The system comprises three main components; (1) an optimised compact extraction system for recovery of radionuclides from the waste form; (2) an extraction test strip designed to recover the radionuclides from the waste digest; (3) a scintillation-based detection system capable of quantification of alpha, low energy beta and high energy beta emitting radionuclides. Data are presented on the preliminary assessment of the extraction/detection system for the measurement of ⁹⁰Sr and ⁹⁹Tc in aqueous wastes.

Presence of radionuclides in sludge from conventional drinking water treatment plants. A review

The analysis of sludge samples generated during water treatment processes show that different radioisotopes of uranium, thorium and radium, among others can accumulate in that kind of samples, even the good removal rates obtained in the aqueous phase (by comparison of influent and effluent water concentrations). Inconsequence, drinking water treatment plants are included in the group of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) industries. The accumulation of radionuclides can be a serious problem especially when this sludge is going to be reused, so more exhaustive information is required to prevent the possible radiological impact of these samples in the environment and also on the people. The main aim of this review is to outline the current situation regarding the different studies reported in the literature up to date focused on the analysis of the radiological content of these sludge samples from drinking water treatment plants. In this sense, special attention is given to the recent approaches for their determination. Another important aim is to discuss about the final disposal of these samples and in this regard, sludge reuse (including for example direct agricultural application or also as building materials) are together with landfilling the main reported strategies.