TY - JOUR
T1 - Analysis of reserve pit sludge from unconventional natural gas hydraulic fracturing and drilling operations for the presence of technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive material (Tenorm)
AU - Rich, Alisa L.
AU - Crosby, Ernest C.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2013, Baywood Publishing Co., Inc.
Copyright:
Copyright 2018 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2013/5/1
Y1 - 2013/5/1
N2 - Soil and water (sludge) obtained from reserve pits used in unconventional natural gas mining was analyzed for the presence of technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive material (TENORM). Samples were analyzed for total gamma, alpha, and beta radiation, and specific radionuclides: beryllium, potassium, scandium, cobalt, cesium, thallium, lead-210 and-214, bismuth-212 and-214, radium-226 and-228, thorium, uranium, and strontium-89 and-90. Laboratory analysis confirmed elevated beta readings recorded at 1329 ± 311 pCi/g. Specific radionuclides present in an active reserve pit and the soil of a leveled, vacated reserve pit included232Thorium decay series (228Ra,228Th,208Tl), and226Radium decay series (214Pb,214Bi,210Pb) radionuclides. The potential for impact of TENORM to the environment, occupational workers, and the general public is presented with potential health effects of individual radionuclides. Current oversight, exemption of TENORM in federal and state regulations, and complexity in reporting are discussed.
AB - Soil and water (sludge) obtained from reserve pits used in unconventional natural gas mining was analyzed for the presence of technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive material (TENORM). Samples were analyzed for total gamma, alpha, and beta radiation, and specific radionuclides: beryllium, potassium, scandium, cobalt, cesium, thallium, lead-210 and-214, bismuth-212 and-214, radium-226 and-228, thorium, uranium, and strontium-89 and-90. Laboratory analysis confirmed elevated beta readings recorded at 1329 ± 311 pCi/g. Specific radionuclides present in an active reserve pit and the soil of a leveled, vacated reserve pit included232Thorium decay series (228Ra,228Th,208Tl), and226Radium decay series (214Pb,214Bi,210Pb) radionuclides. The potential for impact of TENORM to the environment, occupational workers, and the general public is presented with potential health effects of individual radionuclides. Current oversight, exemption of TENORM in federal and state regulations, and complexity in reporting are discussed.
KW - Barnett shale
KW - Fracking
KW - Natural gas mining
KW - Naturally occurring radioactive materials (norm)
KW - Radiation
KW - Reserve pit
KW - Technologically-enhanced naturally occurring radioactive materials (tenorm)
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84891424241&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2190/NS.23.1.h
DO - 10.2190/NS.23.1.h
M3 - Article
C2 - 23552651
AN - SCOPUS:84891424241
SN - 1048-2911
VL - 23
SP - 117
EP - 135
JO - New Solutions
JF - New Solutions
IS - 1
ER -