Uranium partitioning during water treatment processes

Abstract

Water samples were collected from underground water purification plant to study the variation in uranium concentration through the treatment processes and its relation to physical and chemical properties of water. Samples represent the different treatment processes (input, output, after filtration, sludge tank, reverse osmosis permit and reject, and waste water ponds). Uranium concentration in the collected samples were measured using ICP-MS. Uranium concentrations in water samples show a wide range of variation from 0.06 to 35 μg.L-1. The chemical properties of water samples Water physical and chemical properties, i.e. pH, EC, major cations (Ca, Mg and K) and major anions CO3 HCO3, Cl and SO4) were determined. The effect of water treatment processes on uranium concentration; dose assessment due to water drinking (before and after treatment) and the radio-ecological assessment were discussed.