An assessment of radiological risks and chemical toxicity due to naturally occurring radionuclides in surface waters of a semiarid region in Brazil.

Santa Quitéria, a city in northeastern Brazil, faces significant challenges in ensuring the availability of potable water due to its semi-arid climate and limited water resources. This study investigates the radiological quality of surface waters commonly used by the population for drinking and by animals for hydration. Water samples were collected from six different locations over a 25-month period, and the concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides were measured using spectrophotometric analysis, total alpha, and gross beta counting.

Environmental impact assessment due to the intake of uranium contained in surface waters in a semi-arid region in Brazil.

In Santa Quitéria City, part of the population uses surface water for potation. These waters do not undergo any treatment before consumption. As the region has a deposit of uranium, assessing water quality becomes important.

Internal dose rate due to intake of uranium and thorium by fish from a dam reservoir associated with a uranium mine in Brazil.

Uranium mining can cause environmental impacts on non-human biota around mine sites. Because of this, the reduction in non-human biota exposure becomes an important issue. Environmental radioprotection results from the evolution of human radioprotection; it is based on dose rate to non-human biota and uses, as a biological target, and has harmful effects on populations.

Evaluation of the radiological quality of water released by a uranium mining in Brazil.

A mine in an area of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM), characterized by acid mine drainage, generates effluents with natural radionuclide concentrations, usually above the limits authorized by the regulator. The plant exploiting NORM controls the water quality and discharges it into the aquatic environment after meeting technical requirements. Downstream, water usage is unrestricted.

Assessment of uranium release to the environment from a disabled uranium mine in Brazil.

The Ore Treatment Unit (in Portuguese Unidade de Tratamento de Minérios - UTM) located in Caldas, MG, Brazil is a disabled uranium mine. Environmental conditions generate acid drainage leaching metals and radionuclides from the waste rock pile. This drainage is treated to remove the heavy metals and radionuclides, before allowing the release of the effluent to the environment.