Natural radionuclides in bauxitic tailings (red-mud) in the Gulf of Corinth, Greece

¹ Department of Geology, University of Patras, Patras 265 00, Greece
² Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Patras 265 00, Greece

Abstract

An aluminum processing plant, which is located at the Antikyra Bay, at the northern margin of Corinth Gulf, is producing a high radioactive contamination in the marine environment, due to the discharge of bauxitic red mud tailings. The levels and the distribution of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra, ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs in marine sediments of the area have been determined. The results indicate that the seafloor of Antikyra bay and the basin of Gulf of Corinth are highly contaminated with ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ²²⁶Ra. On the contrary, the red mud tailings induce depletion to the ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs concentrations in the area.