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Re: radioactivity from fossil fuel power stations
Tom,
Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I'd be interested in hearing
more about your method.
The variation in observable radioactivity might also be attributable to
different rock densities or different radionuclides. I know that shales
can have a fairly high gamma signature on downhole logs, but it may be
due to something like K-40 within the structure of the clay mineral.
This would not be a radon source comparable to coal with U content of
several ppm.
Interestingly, the high mercury levels in coal are also found in the
high sulfur zones.
Regards,
Susan
Tom Hazlett wrote:
>
> I don't
> believe that the rocks commonly found in association with coal
> (sandstones, silts, and shales) have significantly different
> concentrations of uranium, thus the change in exposure would be
> negligible once these are exposed.
>
> I don't think that is quite correct. Some time ago i designed a
> system for avoiding high sulfur coal. The high sulfur coal tends to
> be in the outer 10"-12" of the coal seam. By monitoring the coal's
> attenuation of the radioactive elements in the surrounding shale. The
> thickness of coal was calculated. If the coal had a similar amount
> of radioactivity as the shale, the process would not have worked.
--
.....................................................
Susan L. Gawarecki, Ph.D., Executive Director
Oak Ridge Reservation Local Oversight Committee
-----
A schedule of meetings on DOE issues is posted on our Web site
http://www.local-oversight.org/meetings.html - E-mail loc@icx.net
.....................................................
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