Behaviour mechanisms and correlation between lead (Pb) and its isotope 210Pb in industrial residue as an indicator for waste characterization

PubMed ID: 27144415Total lead and 210Pb concentrations were determined in various ash fractions (collected from two of the world’s largest oil shale-fired power plants) by inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry (ICP-MS) and gamma spectrometry. Results show a clear increase in total lead (values up to 193 ppm in filter ashes) and 210Pb (values up to 148 Bq kg-1 in filter ashes) concentrations in the ash fractions from the furnace towards the filter ashes. A strong positive linear correlation (Pearson’s bivariate correlation remained between 0.86 and 0.99) was determined between total lead concentration (ppm) and 210Pb activity concentration (Bq kg-1) within all the boilers under observation. The constant concentration ratio between total lead and 210Pb remained around one (with minor exceptions), independent of the sampling location and the used combustion technology. The determined concentration ratio can be applicable as an indicative tool in waste material characterization. It also provides multiple additions to the general material characterization approach, by integrating radiological and elemental studies and providing an option to rapidly obtain initial indicative information about the residues. This in turn helps to generate the initial information to work out the next steps in waste material management. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.Citrus Research and Development Foundation EMP-45 National Science Foundation: 22/2011, OISE-9531011 Eesti Teadusagentuur: ETF9304 ESP1-7030-TR-11This work was supported by the EEA Financial Mechanism and Norwegian Financial Mechanism [grant number EMP-45]; Estonian Research Council award [grant number ETF9304]; CRDF Global and Estonian Science Foundation 2010 Energy Research Competition grant CRDF-ETF II, including CRDF [grant number ESP1-7030-TR-11] (National Science Foundation cooperative agreement OISE-9531011) and ETF award [22/2011]. -