Radionuclides in "Green Sand"-Are there any?

[Dale Dusenbury <dale.dusenbury@ncmail.net>]

My name is Dale Dusenbury and I am an environmental radiation specialist 

with the North Carolina Radiation Protection Section. Does anyone have 

any information on the presence of  radionuclides( particularly natural 

ones),  found in "green sand", a filtering media used in water 

purification plants? This is the definition I found on the web for green 

sand:"/Greensand is a mineral mined from natural deposits of glauconite. 

These deposits are composed primarily of iron-potassium silicate. ... A 

great source of potassium and other trace elements."  /Is this natural 

greensand used primarily or is there a synthetic substitute for water 

purification purposes?

There is a question at a ground water supply in our area due to levels 

of natural nuclides in water that appear to increase following treatment 

by "green sand". If such nuclides are present in this material, what ph 

or other conditions(water hardness from manganese or iron from example) 

could move these nuclides into solution where they could enter the 

treated water? Radsafers are welcome to reply to the list or to my 

e-mail if you like.

Dale Dusenbury, CHP, MSPH

NC Radiation Protection Section

3825 Barrett Drive

Raleigh, NC 27609-7221

e-mail:dale.dusenbury@ncmail.net







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