Pollution Research Paper

Vol.32, Issue 04, 2013; Page No.(907-915)

RESIDENCE TIME OF PB-210, BI-210 AND PO-210 IN THE ATMOSPHERE AROUND A COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT, KAPAR, SELANGOR, MALAYSIA

ASNOR AZRIN SABUTI AND CHE ABD RAHIM MOHAMED

Abstract

The results of 210 Pb, 210 Bi and 210 Po activity concentrations in the precipitation samples from the Kapar coastal area were presented and discussed in relation to their sources and application as tracers for the estimation of the residence time of particles in the lower atmosphere. It was concluded that the mean ratio was 0.53 for 210 Bi/ 210 Pb and 1.35 for 210 Po/ 210 Pb. Some results showed high activity ratios,1.26 for 210 Bi/210 Pb and 6.33 for 210 Po/ 210 Pb, higher than the natural level, 1.0. These results may be due to additional 210 Bi and 210 Po excess. The presence of 210 Pb, 210 Bi and 210 Po varied with time and this may be due to the variety of rainfall events and changes in aerosol content. Furthermore, the influence of dry deposition and wet deposition could be the major reasons as this particle reactive radionuclide tends to attach itself to aerosol particles. Thus the contribution from the factory may also be important as the amount of dust and coal burning will influence radionuclide activities. A comparison of mean radioisotope concentration profiles with a theoretical model indicates that the mean aerosol residence time in the atmosphere at the Kapar coastal area is 19 days from Pb-Bi derived calculations and 8 months from Pb-Po derived calculations.

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