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Determination of uranium in mineral phosphate fertilizers using a low cost gamma spectroscope

Frank Jacobs, Sascha Riedl

2023enuraniumgamma spectroscopymineral fertilizersphosphateanalysis

Abstract

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Uranium (U) is a natural but undesired heavy metal in rock phosphates and processed phosphorus fertilizers. Analytical methods employing the direct determination of U through α-spectroscopy or ICP mass spectrometry are tedious and expensive, requiring sophisticated laboratory equipment and skilled staff. This contribution describes an easy to perform test based on a low-cost gamma-ray spectroscopy system. The determination of U was carried out through its only gaseous decay product Radon (222Rn). Seven straight and compound fertilizer samples with different U and K content were measured and the spectra compared to that of the U-containing mineral schrockingerite. The findings demonstrate that the proposed method offers a practical alternative for determining uranium levels in fertilizers, potentially enhancing the monitoring of U contamination in agricultural soils and its leaching into groundwater. This study emphasizes the importance of developing accessible and efficient analytical techniques for environmental safety and public health in agricultural practices.

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Cite This Work

@article{361347e5-42f5-4ade-be0f-4464b0da7960,
  title={Determination of uranium in mineral phosphate fertilizers using a low cost gamma spectroscope},
  author={Frank Jacobs and Sascha Riedl},
  year={2023},
  language={en}
}
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Determination of uranium in mineral phosphate fertilizers using a low cost gamma spectroscope
AU  - Frank Jacobs
AU  - Sascha Riedl
PY  - 2023
LA  - en
ER  -

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