Natural radionuclides (NORM) in a Moroccan river affected by former conventional metal mining activities

Authors

Guillermo Manjón, Applied Nuclear Physics Group, Applied Physics II Department, ETSA, Universidad de Sevilla, Av Reina Mercedes 2, 41012, Seville, Spain
Juan Mantero, Applied Nuclear Physics Group, Applied Physics II Department, ETSA, Universidad de Sevilla, Av Reina Mercedes 2, 41012, Seville, Spain
Ignacio Vioque, Applied Nuclear Physics Group, Applied Physics II Department, ETSA, Universidad de Sevilla, Av Reina Mercedes 2, 41012, Seville, Spain
Inmaculada Díaz-Francés, Applied Nuclear Physics Group, Applied Physics II Department, ETSA, Universidad de Sevilla, Av Reina Mercedes 2, 41012, Seville, Spain
José Antonio Galván, Applied Nuclear Physics Group, Applied Physics II Department, ETSA, Universidad de Sevilla, Av Reina Mercedes 2, 41012, Seville, Spain
Said Chakiri, Geosciences of Natural Resources Laboratory, IbnTofail University, Faculty of Sciences, BP 133, 14000, Kénitra, Morocco
Abdelmajid Choukri, Laboratory of Polymers, Radiations and Environment, IbnTofail University, Faculty of Sciences, BP 133, 14000, Kénitra, Morocco
Rafael García-Tenorio, Spanish National Accelerator Center (CNA), Universidad de Sevilla-Junta de Andalucía-CSIC, Seville, Spain

Author ORCID Identifier

Guillermo Manjón 0000-0001-8737-992X

Juan Mantero 0000-0002-1906-8625

Ignacio Vioque 0000-0002-8028-2604

Inmaculada Díaz-Francés 0000-0002-2868-8746

Ignacio Vioque 0000-0002-8028-2604

Said Chakiri 0000-0001-7781-1192

Abdelmajid Choukri 0000-0002-0626-3982

Rafael García-Tenorio 0000-0002-3976-4695

Abstract

The main aim of this work was to determine the levels of multiple natural radionuclides in an aquatic system (Moulouya river, Morocco) impacted by multiple abandoned Zinc and Lead mines. 238U, 234U, 232Th, 230Th and 210Po were determined by alpha-particle spectrometry in water and sediment samples collected along the river and in samples from three pit lakes of abandoned mines, located in the Upper Moulouya catchment area. The results enabled the analysis of the different levels of impact of former mining activities, depending on the natural radionuclides. While the activity concentration of U-isotopes in Moulouya river water was slightly elevated in the vicinity of abandoned mine wastes, other natural radionuclides (Th-isotopes and 210Po) levels were typical of a natural environment. This fact is clearly reflected in the magnitude and range observed in the distribution coefficients for the different radionuclides analyzed.

Recommended Citation

Manjón, Guillermo; Mantero, Juan; Vioque, Ignacio; Díaz-Francés, Inmaculada; Galván, José Antonio; Chakiri, Said; Choukri, Abdelmajid; and García-Tenorio, Rafael (2019) "Natural radionuclides (NORM) in a Moroccan river affected by former conventional metal mining activities," Journal of Sustainable Mining: Vol. 18 : Iss. 1 , Article 8.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.46873/2300-3960.1074

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.