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Abstract
Unique among all the contaminants that adversely affect surface and water quality, radioactive compounds pose a double threat from both toxicity and damaging radiation. The extreme energy potential of many of these materials makes them both useful and toxic. The unique properties of radioactive materials make them invaluable for medical, weapons, and energy applications. However, mining, production, use, and disposal of these compounds provide potential pathways for their release into the environment, posing a risk to both humans and wildlife. This chapter discusses the sources, uses, and regulation of radioactive compounds in the United States, biogeochemical processes that control mobility in the environment, examples of radionuclide contamination, and current work related to contaminated site remediation.
| Publication type | Book chapter |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Book Chapter |
| Title | Radionuclides in surface and groundwater |
| Year Published | 2009 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Contributing office(s) | Branch of Regional Research-Western Region |
| Description | 24 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Book |
| Larger Work Subtype | Other Government Series |
| Larger Work Title | Handbook of Water Purity and Quality |
| First page | 213 |
| Last page | 236 |
| Country | United States |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |