Tenorm's around coal fired power plant tailings ponds in Hungary
Introduction
The tailings ponds comprise approximately 2.7×106 m2. Area A is covered by 30 cm soil layer and it is vegetated by grass. Area B consists of old dumping areas that have been covered by 30 cm soil layer and vegetated by mixed gramineous plants and trees; unrestored dried tailings ponds; and fresh tailings ponds which are currently in use.
Section snippets
Materials and methods
Soil, water, and ash samples were measured by gamma-spectroscopy, in situ external gamma dose rate and radon exhalation measurements were done. Column and field experiments were carried out to find the optimal option for tailings pond covering, and mathematical modeling was performed to predict radionuclide migration in the soil.
Results and discussion
According to the measurements, experiments, and modeling, the 30 cm cover layer fulfils the requirements of the radiation criteria system for remediation (Table 1, Table 2; Fig. 1). On long term at least 50 cm layer should be applied to avoid migration of radium to the root zone of gramineous plants, and to reduce the destructive effect of soil erosion. No agricultural activities are allowed in the tailings pond area, although restricted utilization for industrial use is possible.
References (2)
Environmental restoration of uranium mining tailings ponds in Hungary
Results of pilot studies of environmental restoration of uranium mining tailings ponds in Hungary
Science of the Total Environment
(2001)
Cited by (1)
A review of the occurrence of alpha-emitting radionuclides in wild mushrooms
2020, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health