RESUMO
It is proposed a method for the determination of (226)Ra in offshore platform liquid effluent samples (produced water). The method is based on a two-phase liquid scintillation counting system and allows for the direct and simple determination of (226)Ra content. Samples with high barium content may also have high (226)Ra concentration. Therefore, the sample volume is based on the barium concentration and ranges from 10 mL to 100 mL. Our new method was tested using multiple real samples and was compared with the BaSO4 precipitation method. The results based on the LSC were 30% higher than the precipitation method, which is attributed to the self-absorption of alpha particles in the BaSO4 precipitate. The determination of both (226)Ra and (228)Ra in the liquid effluent of offshore oil platforms is mandatory in Brazil. Thus, a second method of accurately assessing (228)Ra content remains necessary.
Assuntos
Campos de Petróleo e Gás , Rádio (Elemento)/análise , Poluentes Radioativos da Água/análise , Bário/análise , Sulfato de Bário/química , Brasil , Precipitação Química , Rádio (Elemento)/química , Contagem de Cintilação , Poluentes Radioativos da Água/químicaRESUMO
The constant initial concentration (CIC) of unsupported/excess (210)Pb model was successfully used to assess (210)Pb data of nine sediment cores from Atibaia River basin, São Paulo State, Brazil. The (210)Pb-based apparent sediment mass accumulation rates ranged from 47.7 to 782.4 mg/cm(2)yr, whereas the average linear sedimentation rates between 0.16 and 1.32 cm/yr, which are compatible with the calculated sediment mass fluxes, i.e. a higher sediment mass accumulation rate yielded a higher linear sedimentation rate. The higher long-term based accumulation rate tended to be found in topographically softer regions. This occurs because the sediments are preferentially transported in topographically steeper regions instead of being deposited. Anthropic activities like deforestation possibly interfered with the natural/normal sedimentation processes, which increased in accordance with modifications on the channel drainage. The radionuclide geochronology as described in this paper allows determination of sedimentation rates that are compatible with values estimated elsewhere. The adoption of an appropriate factor generated from previous laboratory experiments resulted in a successful correction for the (222)Rn-loss from the sediments, bringing the estimate of the parent-supported (in-situ produced) (210)Pb to reliable values required by the CIC model.
Assuntos
Monitoramento Ambiental/métodos , Sedimentos Geológicos/química , Radioisótopos de Chumbo/análise , Poluentes Radioativos da Água/química , Brasil , Rios , Espectrometria por Raios XRESUMO
Lake sediments are frequently used to reconstruct the rate and magnitude of human impacts on the biogeochemical cycle of mercury (Hg). The vast majority of these studies rely on excess (210)Pb inventories in short cores to temporally constrain recent trends in Hg deposition, revealing an approximately 3-fold increase in Hg deposition since preindustrial times. However, the exhaustion of unsupported (210)Pb and the onset of widespread global Hg pollution converge temporally in the late 19th century, raising the possibility that preindustrial Hg fluxes are poorly constrained. Here, we combine (210)Pb and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) (14)C dated lake sediment records from arctic and Andean lakes to assess the reliability of (210)Pb-derived chronologies in the estimation of preindustrial Hg fluxes. For all four studied lakes, relying on (210)Pb chronologies results in an overestimate of preindustrial Hg fluxes, because extrapolated basal (210)Pb sedimentation rates are systematically overestimated in comparison to accumulation models that include (14)C dates. In the Andes, the use of (14)C dates is critical toward assessing the full history of Hg pollution, which extends beyond the industrial era. In the Arctic, (14)C dating suggests that Hg deposition may have increased >10-fold since the Industrial Revolution, rather than the commonly quoted 3-fold increase. The incorporation of (14)C dates may therefore be necessary if accurate Hg flux histories are sought from oligotrophic lake sediments.
Assuntos
Radioisótopos de Chumbo/análise , Mercúrio/análise , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Poluição da Água/estatística & dados numéricos , Regiões Árticas , Água Doce/química , Sedimentos Geológicos/química , Indústrias , Radioisótopos de Chumbo/química , Mercúrio/química , Datação Radiométrica , América do Sul , Poluentes Químicos da Água/química , Poluentes Radioativos da Água/análise , Poluentes Radioativos da Água/químicaRESUMO
Radium isotopes are widely used in marine studies (eg. to trace water masses, to quantify mixing processes or to study submarine groundwater discharge). While 228Ra and 226Ra are usually measured using gamma spectrometry, short-lived Ra isotopes (224Ra and 223Ra) are usually measured using a Radium Delayed Coincidence Counter (RaDeCC). Here we show that the four radium isotopes can be analyzed using gamma spectrometry. We report 226Ra, 228Ra, 224Ra, 223Ra activities measured using low-background gamma spectrometry in standard samples, in water samples collected in the vicinity of our laboratory (La Palme and Vaccarès lagoons, France) but also in seawater samples collected in the plume of the Amazon river, off French Guyana (AMANDES project). The 223Ra and 224Ra activities determined in these samples using gamma spectrometry were compared to the activities determined using RaDeCC. Activities determined using the two techniques are in good agreement. Uncertainties associated with the 224Ra activities are similar for the two techniques. RaDeCC is more sensitive for the detection of low 223Ra activities. Gamma spectrometry thus constitutes an alternate method for the determination of short-lived Ra isotopes.
Assuntos
Rádio (Elemento)/análise , Água do Mar/química , Poluentes Radioativos da Água/análise , Brasil , Guiana Francesa , Limite de Detecção , Rádio (Elemento)/química , Espectrometria gama , Fatores de Tempo , Poluentes Radioativos da Água/químicaRESUMO
(238)U and its radiogenic daughter (234)U have been utilized for dating soil formation and groundwater residence time during the last 1.5 million years, in this case based on the U-dissolution/precipitation occurring during modifications of the oxidation-reduction conditions. In this paper, we report a 400-600kyr proxy of wet periods from sediments occurring in a soil profile developed over rocks outcropping at the Paraná sedimentary basin in Brazil, and from groundwater exploited of Guarani aquifer at the same basin. The approaches indicated successful use of the U-modeled ages for suggesting wet periods exceeding the past 116-210kyr from previous studies.
Assuntos
Sedimentos Geológicos/química , Poluentes Radioativos do Solo/química , Urânio/química , Poluentes Radioativos da Água/química , Brasil , Oxirredução , Movimentos da ÁguaRESUMO
The presence of uranium and other elements in high concentrations in acid mine drainage at Poços de Caldas Uranium Mine (Brazil) is a matter of concern. The acid water pH is around 2.7, the uranium concentration is in the range of 6-14 mg L(-1), sulfate concentration near 1400 mg L(-1), fluoride 140 mg L(-1) and iron 180 mg L(-1). In this solution, where sulfate is present in elevated concentrations, uranium is basically in the form of UO(2)(SO(4))(3)(4-). This study investigated the separation of uranium from the other anions present in the acid water under batch and column mode using ion exchange technique. The pH studied was 2.7 and 3.9. Two strong base anionic resins were tested. The influence of ions, commonly found in acid waters like sulfate and fluoride, on ion exchange process was also assessed. Equilibrium studies were carried out to determine the maximum adsorption capacities of the resins. The resins showed a significant capacity for uranium uptake which varied from 66 to 108 mg g(-1) for IRA 910U and 53 to 79 mg g(-1) for Dowex A. The results also showed that SO(4)(2-) is the most interfering ion and it had a deleterious effect on the recovery in the pH range studied. Fluoride did not affect uranium removal.