Potential applications of isotopes in pollution control

From eleventh conference on radioisotope s; Tokyo, Japan (13 Nov 1973). A review is presented of the applications of nuclear techniques to studies on pollution cortrol. The determination of trace-level constituents in atmospheric particulates, in water samples, and in biological materials by neutron activation analysis is reviewed with emphasis on the use of /sup 252/Cf as a neutron source. A discussion of the use of tracers in pollution studies includes the use of /sup 85/Kr and /sup 35/S for determining the behavior of moving air masses; the use of /sup 82/Br for water pollution tracing; determination of the fate of SO/sub 2/ i n plumes emitted from stacks of fossil fuel power plants using the ratio of /sup 32/S to /sup 34/S; and use of the ratio of /sup 14/N to /sup 15/N to follow the behavior of nitrogen oxides emitted from stationary sources. The measurement of physical properties of suspended sediments and sludge densities using radioisotopes is discussed. A review of radiation treatment of sewage and waste water includes: the use of isotopic gamma and accelerator electron sources for processing liquid waste; effects of radiation on sedimentation rate and colloidal properties of solids in waste waters; combined use of gamma radiation and biological methods for purifying sewage; and programs and activities recommended for consideration by IAEA. (HLW