Dissolution characteristics of uranium and lead in simulated lung fluid using fly ash samples from coal-fired power plants in the Czech Republic

Samples of fly ash, slag and boiler scale containing elevated amounts of uranium or lead (210Pb) from several coal-fired power stations in the Czech Republic were collected for an assessment of their dissolution parameters - the dissolution rates and their respective fractions in vitro. The dissolution data were fitted either by a biexpo-nential model or by a triexponential model. The uranium 234U and 238U in the fly ash sample are classified as M -type. Similarly, type M could be attributed for most of the materials containing 210Pb. A complementary mea-surement of the activity concentrations of 210Pb in relation to the grain size confirmed that the radionuclide is deposited mainly in fine particles (<25 mu m).

Automated summary

Samples from coal-fired power stations in the Czech Republic were collected to assess their dissolution parameters, particularly uranium and lead content. The dissolution rates were analyzed using different models and it was found that uranium and lead were mainly deposited in fine particles.