Abstract This paper describes a comprehensive study of the behaviour of U in the Ría of Huelva estuary, formed by the Tinto and Odiel rivers. This ecosystem is conditioned by two hydrochemical facts: one connected with the acid mining drainage (AMD) generated in the first section of the river basins, and another one related to Read more about Uranium behaviour in an estuary polluted by mining and industrial effluents: The Ría of Huelva (SW of Spain)[…]

Abstract This paper reports the preparation of sulphur polymer cements (SPCs) incorporating waste ilmenite mud for use in concrete construction works. The ilmenite mud raw material and the mud-containing SPCs (IMC-SPCs) were characterised physico-chemically and radiologically. The optimal IMC-SPC mixture had a sulphur/mud ratio (w/w) of 1.05 (mud dose 20 wt%); this cement showed the greatest Read more about Valorisation of waste ilmenite mud in the manufacture of sulphur polymer cement[…]

Abstract A study about the distribution of several radionuclides from the uranium and the thorium series radionuclides along the production process of a typical NORM industry devoted to the production of titanium dioxide has been performed. With this end the activity concentrations in raw materials, final product, co-products, and wastes of the production process have Read more about Radioactive characterization of the main materials involved in the titanium dioxide production process and their environmental radiological impact[…]

Abstract The Tinto River estuary is one of the most contaminated coastal systems in the world due to the high amounts of pollutants this acidic river transports. The tidal influence and the fluvial discharges control the water mixing, which include a salt-induced process (that is typical of all estuaries) and an acid neutralization process (pH-induced Read more about Uranium behavior during a tidal cycle in an estuarine system affected by acid mine drainage (AMD)[…]

Abstract This work analyzes and evaluates the main mechanical, elastic and thermodynamic properties of cements manufactured with different proportions of red gypsum (RG), a waste generated by the titanium dioxide industry. The results show that red gypsum can be used as a safe substitute for natural gypsum in the manufacturing of commercial cements with no Read more about Evaluation of the use of TiO2 industry red gypsum waste in cement production[…]

Abstract Two wastes, red gypsum (RG) and unattacked ilmenite (known as tionite), from the titanium dioxide production industry have been used to study the possibility of manufacturing new fire-isolating materials, and for that they were characterized for mineralogical composition and thermal behavior. Tests have demonstrated that these wastes could be used for fire insulation. Thermogravimetry Read more about Thermal characterization of new fire-insulating materials from industrial inorganic TiO2 wastes[…]

Abstract The environmental degradation resulting from the acid mine drainage (AMD) and discharge from effluents of phosphogypsum (PG) piles in the watershed of Tinto and Odiel Rivers estuary over long periods of time has resulted in significant impact on the ecosystem of this estuary, resulting that the sediments are highly polluted by heavy metals and Read more about Behavior of natural radionuclides in surficial sediments from an estuary impacted by acid mine discharge and industrial effluents in Southwest Spain[…]

Abstract The aim of this work is to prepare a new type of phosphogypsum-sulfur polymer cements (PG-SPC) to be utilised in the manufacture of building materials. Physico-chemical and radiological characterization was performed in phosphogypsum and phosphogypsum-sulfur polymer concretes and modeling of exhalation rates has been also carried out. An optimized mixture of the materials was Read more about Microencapsulation of phosphogypsum into a sulfur polymer matrix: Physico-chemical and radiological characterization[…]

Abstract In order to find a potential valorization of a waste generated in the industrial process devoted to the production of TiO2 pigments, and as an essential and basic step, this waste must firstly be physically and chemically characterized. Moreover, the content of radioactivity is taken in to account due to it comes from a Read more about Physico-chemical and radioactive characterization of TiO2 undissolved mud for its valorization[…]

Abstract The factories dedicated to the production of phosphoric acid by the so-called wet acid method are usually considered typical NORM industries, because the phosphate rock used as raw material usually contains high concentrations of 238U-series radionuclides. The magnitude and behaviour of the radionuclides involved in the production process revealed the need to determine its Read more about External radiation assessment in a wet phosphoric acid production plant[…]