Potential of uranium contamination origins in groundwater and treatment technologies: Southern Mediterranean Basin
摘要
The potential of 238U/236U contamination origins in water resources: Southern Mediterranean basin, this toxic radionuclide can enter deep water from natural exchange rocks, by geochemical reactions (water/rock interactions, oxydo-reduction and exchange dusts deposits…), and erosion of metamorphic rocks. It can be related to the external activities such as uranium ore extraction and processing and atmospheric and/or ground nuclear tests. This article systematically shows the major uranium origins in the deep groundwater of the transboundary aquifer of NWSAS. The results of measurements relating to natural and anthropogenic radioactivity in southern Tunisia show that the values of the various components show significant variations depending on the location (0.18 mSv/h < gamma radiation dose < 0.24 mSv/h) in groundwater. The radio-analysis of groundwater from the shallow aquifer are: 238U = 0.165 Bq/kg, 234U = 0.75 Bq/kg, 228Th = 0.12 Bq/kg, 228Ra = 1.12 Bq/kg, and 226Ra = 4.5 Bq/kg and are about 238U = 0.57 Bq/kg, 234U = 0.68 Bq/kg, 228Th = 0.12 Bq/kg, 228Ra = 0.75 Bq/kg, and 226Ra = 4.27 Bq/kg concerning the deep groundwater of NWSAS. Cell exposure to toxic radionuclides, occurs through direct and indirect pathways. Direct exposure involves drinking water with a high polluants concentration, contact with skin, and inhalation of gasses with a high toxic elements concentration. Indirect exposure occurs mainly through the food chain. This includes eating crops, vegetables, and fruits cultivated in contaminated soil or irrigated with polluted groundwater, as well as consuming meat products from animals raised in such environments. The cumulative impact of exposure to these contaminants, regardless of the route, can result in serious health disorders affecting the skin, respiratory/cardiovascular, and central and peripheral nervous system. Nanotechnology, artificial recharge, adsorption, electro-coagulation, biosorption, nano-filtration (membrane and chert rock) and bioremediation are promising methods of groundwater remediation in this phosphate mining basin.