Phosphogypsum (PG) is a solid by-product of the phosphate industry, rich in contaminants and produced in large quantities. Raw materials and stabilized specimens, consisting of bentonite-lime-PG mixtures, were characterized by mineralogical, microstructural, chemical, alpha-particle, and gamma-ray spectrometry analysis before hydration and after hardening. Compressive strength and leaching tests were performed on hardened specimens.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this present work, the transformation of the Moroccan phosphogypsum (PG) waste, considered a potential source of sulfate, into potassium sulfate compound could help reduce environmental impact and create a new value chain for the phosphate industry. Generally, solid-liquid equilibria are frequently applied in chemical industries. They are a valuable aid in visualizing the precipitation, separation, and purification of a solid phase and the pathways by which crystallization can occur.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis report presents a new methodology to isolate and measure Po, as well as uranium and thorium isotopes. This new methodology reduces the standard time of operation, the minimum amount of chemical reagents and the quantity of resin used in comparison with other standard and well-established procedures for alpha spectrometry. Thus, the amount of chemicals reagent was lower than the amount used in other standard radiochemical processes: only 6 mL of 1 M HCl was used for the thorium elution, and 2 mL of HO and 1 mL of Ammonium Oxalate (0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhosphogypsum wastes from phosphate fertilizer industries are stockpiled in stacks with high contamination potential. An assessment of the environmental impact, including the use of geochemical tracers such as rare earth elements (REE) and Cl/Br ratios, was carried out in the phosphogypsum stack located at the Estuary of Huelva (SW Spain). Inside the pile, highly polluted acid pore-waters flows up to the edge of the stack, emerging as small fluvial courses, known as edge outflows, which discharge directly into the estuary.
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