Transcript تأثير الحروب الحديثة

Environmental Pollution Resulting from the
Use of Depleted Uranium Weaponry Against
Iraq During 1991
Dr. Souad Naji Al-Azzawi
Assistant Prof. Environmental Eng. Dept
University of Baghdad - Iraq
During the aggression of 1991, the United States and its allies used a new
generation of radiological weapons on Iraq…
Airforce A-10 aircraft fired about 940,000 30 mm rounds of DU during the war.
The weight of each penetrator is 272 gm- hence, about 256 tons of DU were fired.
M1A1 tanks fired 120 mm rounds of 4.1 Kg each.
M1 and M60 tanks fired 105 mm rounds of 3.4 Kg each.
14,000 DU tank rounds were fired.
7,000 DU rounds were fired during training in Saudi Arabia.
4,000 DU rounds were fired during combat.
3,000 DU rounds were lost in fires and accidents.
A total of 600 – 800 tons of DU expenditures lay within Iraqi territory.
Table (1) shows the types of DU-related weaponry used in the 1991
aggression against Iraq:
Cartridge
Caliber
(mm)
Type of Weapon
DU Weight
GAU-8
30
Air Force A- 10A Thunder bolt II
300 gm
PGU-14
30
Navy Version
300 gm
M735A1
105
US Army – Tanks M1 and M60 equipped with an M68
2.2 kg
M774
105
US Army
3.4 kg
M827
120
US Army – Tanks M1 , M60 and Tanks MIA1, MIA2,
“Abrams”
3.1 kg
M829 (E1&E2)
120
US Army – Tanks M1 , M60 and Tanks MIA1, MIA2,
“Abrams”
4.0 kg
M829 (A1&A2)
120
US Army – Tanks M1 , M60 and Tanks MIA1, MIA2,
“Abrams”
4.9 kg
M833
105
US Army – Tanks M1 , M60 equipped by EX35-105 mm
3.7 kg
XM919
25
US Army – Bradley Fighting Vehicle
85 g
XM900E1
105
US Army – Tanks M1,M60
10 kg
ADAM & PDM
Land
Mines
US Army –155 mm howitzer
0.1 gm
Figure (1) Shows the different parts of a DU penetrator
Objectives of the Study…
This research is part of a series of researches conducted to define
environmental pollution and damage resulting from the use of DU
weaponry in Iraq. The following measurements were conducted during
1995 – 1996 in southern Iraq, where DU weapons were heavily used:
1- Measuring the increase in radioactivity through field investigation and
detection.
2- Environmental sampling of soil, surface and ground water, plants and
animal tissues related to the food chain.
3- Laboratory testing and analysis.
4- Modeling radiological contamination through environmental pathways to
the human body and population in the study area.
5- Defining the whole body dose the people of Al-Basrah and the troops
were exposed to during 1991 and the following years.
This lecture will deal with points 1, 2 and 3 only…
Primary Areas of D.U. Expenditure
The Study Area…
The study areas are mainly suburbs
of Al-Basrah city, where depleted
uranium weapons were used
extensively. The selected study
areas were:
Jabal Sanam
Safwan
Al-Zubair
Northern Rumaila Oil Fields
Southern Rumaila Oil Fields
Field and Laboratory Work…
Six researchers and 14 assistants conducted the following research:
1- Full investigation to define geology, topography, hydrology and hydrogeology,
geomorphology, soil condition, climatology, vegetation cover, and wild life status
in the area.
2- Radiological detection to define the gamma radiation exposure using portable
scintillation counters.
3- Soil sampling from high exposure rate areas. Samples from areas where 13
destroyed tanks and four armored vehicles were also collected. Six to eight soil
samples were reclaimed from and around each destroyed target at different depths.
4- Surface water samples from waterways and wadies were reclaimed and also
groundwater samples from existing deep wells in the area. Bottom sediments from
nearby channels were also collected.
5- Biotic samples of wild plants, vegetables and different kinds of meat (fish, sheep,
cows) were also collected.
Movement and Direction of Sandstorms
in the Study Area
Frequency and Wind Speed of Study Area
Sampling Scheme from Areas of Destroyed Targets by DU Weapons
Sample
Depth (cm)
X1
0–5
X21
0–5
X22
5 – 15
X23
15 – 30
X3
0–5
X4
0–5
Samples Location at Safwan – Jabal Sanam Areas
Samples Location in Northern Rumaila Oil Fields
Sample Location in Southern Rumaila Oil Field
Sample Location in Basrah – Zubair Area
Table (2) shows the number and types of samples that were collected from the
area:
Types of measure or sample
No.
Exposure Rate Samples
124
Soil Samples
Ground and Surface Water Samples
124
Biosphere Samples
154
58
Important Notes:
 Exposure measurements and environmental sampling were all done
according to IAEA standard methods.
 Laboratory tests were done using a high purity Germanium analyzer from
the Iraqi Atomic Energy Organization’s environmental laboratories.
The following tables show the results of the soil, water and biotic sampling
program…
Selected Air Rate Exposure Readings
Sample No.
S-2-3
SN-1-3
SN-2-3
S-2-9
S-4-3
S-2-4
SN-1-4
SN-2-4
S-2-10
S-4-4
SN-1-1
SN-2-1
S-2-1
S-4-1
S-7-4
SN-1-2
S-2-2
SN-2-2
S-4-2
S-2-7
S-2-8
Exposure Rate
µ R/h
28.3
36.9
17.1
30.2
15.2
79.3
184.5
89.4
82.4
83.2
36.9
17.0
28.0
15.1
101.7
36.8
28.6
17.1
15.3
30.1
30.5
Sample No.
S-5-1
S-6-1
R-1-3
R-3-2
R-4-2
S-5-2
S-6-2
R-1-4
R-3-3
R-4-3
S-5-3
S-6-3
S-1-5
R-3-5
R-4-4
S-5-4
R-1-1
S-6-5
R-4-1
R-1-6
R-3-1
Exposure Rate
µ R/h
16.9
14.3
51.7
58.6
46.1
17.1
14.5
51.1
59.0
43.2
16.3
14.4
50.9
80.6
78.2
92.1
81.7
75.4
45.3
75.3
59.6
Sample No.
RK-1-1
RK-2-1
RK-3-1
RK-4-1
S-7-1
RK-1-2
RK-2-2
RK-3-2
RK-4-2
S-7-2
RK-1-3
RK-2-3
RK-3-3
RK-4-3
S-7-3
RK-1-4
RK-3-4
RK-2-5
RK-4-5
RK-3-6
RK-3-7
Exposure Rate
µ R/h
80.8
51.3
42.0
43.0
49.5
78.3
51.9
43.1
43.3
48.1
79.8
51.3
42.8
43.3
48.9
152.3
92.1
98.3
87.2
9.8
9.3
Selected Higher Lab Results of Soil Sample Testing
Symbol
S-5-1
S-5-2
S-5-3
S-5-5
S-6-1
S-6-2
S-6-3
R-1-3
R-1-4
R-1-5
R-1-6
R-3-1
R-3-2
R-3-3
R-3-5
R-4-1
R-4-2
S-2-1
S-2-2
S-2-3
S-2-7
S-2-8
S-2-9
SN-1-2
Radionuclide Concentration Bq/Kg
U-235 Th-234 U235/ Bi-214 Pb-214
U238
170
12150 0.0139
81.1
80.7
102
10910 0.0093
60.3
65.1
79
7310
0.010
59.1
59.8
12
1812
0.0066
45.1
45.7
70
3325
0.020
60.9
58.1
36.3
2019
0.017
60.1
57.2
36.9
2100
0.0175
57.3
50.3
198
12700 0.0155
40.3
39.1
83.1
3000
0.027
47
46.2
78.1
4950
0.0157
52.6
40.6
375
27800 0.0138
ND
41.6
1050
63700
0.016
41.7
48.9
119
7940
0.014
44.9
42.8
1079
65200
0.016
54.9
60.2
43
3170
0.0135
35.4
44.9
202
14660 0.0137
54.9
53.6
112
10300 0.0108
51.3
52.9
78.3
5210
0.0149
65.1
62.3
41.9
3918
0.0106
57.3
59.8
30.3
2720
0.011
49.5
51.7
109
9340
0.0116
89.3
90.7
88
7516
0.0117
77.8
81.2
57.1
4401
0.0129
59.6
62.1
183
11400
0.167
56.3
49.3
Symbol
SN-2-2
SN-2-3
SN-2-6
S-4-1
S-4-2
S-4-3
R-4-3
RK-1-1
RK-1-2
RK-1-3
RK-1-6
RK-2-1
RK-2-2
RK-2-3
RK-3-1
RK-3-2
RK-3-3
RK-4-1
RK-4-2
RK-4-3
S-7-1
S-7-2
SN-1-1
SN-1-3
Radionuclide Concentration Bq/Kg
U-235 Th-234 U235/ Bi-214 Pb-214
U238
23.8
2170
0.0196
82.9
89.3
47.3
2550
0.0185
97.4
111
118
6810
0.0173
124
129
65
4100
0.0158
51.1
60.0
30.9
3408
0.009
41.7
49.5
31.8
3115
0.0064
42.1
42.3
70.3
9700
0.0072
45.9
43.1
901
55700 0.0161
50.8
53.4
937
42100
0.022
52.7
50.4
488
21100
0.023
36.7
34.9
10.23
633
0.016
30.2
39.7
531
40900
0.013
60.1
51.9
212
23300
0.009
58.0
55.3
81
11800
0.006
49.3
50.1
412
37350
0.011
58.3
57.3
198
21700
0.009
56.1
51.5
73
9125
0.008
50.0
52.1
229
31600
0.007
62.3
61.5
115
23010 0.0049
50.1
50.3
60
13200 0.0043
50.7
47.3
86.3
6010
0.0143
44.9
47.1
25.1
3120
0.008
41.3
40.0
60
1830
0.0327
44.3
35.9
169
856
0.197
34.5
36.4
Selected Higher Concentration of Radionuclides
in Water and Water Sediments
SYMBOL
S1
S2
S3
S4
W1
W2
W3
W4
Ra-226
81.6
90.2
102
98
70.6
81.3
32.5
40.1
48
37
23
28
ND
ND
ND
ND
Bi-214
175
160
207
198
158
142
12.4
18.3
114
108
47
52
36
33
21
18
Pb-214
62.5
60.1
62.7
59.3
148
137
30.2
33.1
37.7
35.2
39
43
21.3
17.5
ND
ND
Selected Higher Concentrations of Radionuclides in Plant and
Animal Tissues
Symbol
T2
T4
T13
T5
T6
A3
A4
Sample type
Wt. (gms)
Location
HS
HS
HS
RE
SS
RE
HS
RE
HS
RE
HS
SC
HS
HS
SC
196
200
182
189
162
200
197
180
157
177
161
220
192
180
196
258
241
246
107
185
201
150
195
102
155
Under the hit area
By tank
Between tank and tower
T7
T9
T10
SC
SP
SC
RE
SC
SC
SP
PS
Beside tank
Beside tank
Beside tank
In front of tank
Beside tank
Beside tank
In front of tank
Behind tank
Near hit area
Beside shell
Beside shell
Around shell
Beside tank
Beside tank
Around tank
Behind tank
Near hit area
In front of tank
Near hit area
Around tank
In front of tank
Beside tank
Distance
from target
5-2
1
5
2
1.5
2
2
1
1.2
2
1.5
5-1
1
1.3
2
0.75
2
2
1
5-1
2
5-1
2
2.2
3
Th234
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
249
ND
ND
ND
Bq/Kg
RaBi226
214
114
54
ND
52
96
56
ND
42.5
ND
25.1
ND
23.3
ND
61.1
ND
59.6
ND
45.1
ND
48.2
ND
55.5
78.3
44.5
ND
35.1
ND
55.1
ND
50.3
ND
59
ND
58.3
ND
60.1
ND
57
119
62
ND
51.5
275
48.5
ND
47
ND
57
ND
48
Pb214
34
31.3
38
48
19.3
19.5
44.6
48.1
43.2
44.3
46
44.6
30.5
40.6
55.6
19.7
21.8
33.3
41
29
47.1
48.6
33.1
41.1
19
Results and Conclusions…
The following table shows the natural radiation background
levels of the measured radioisotopes in the study area from the
previous studies.
Air
(6-7)μ R
S o i l
W
a t e r
W
a t e r
S e d i m e n t s
/ h
T h - 2 3 4
u n d e te c ta b l e
U
u n d e te c ta b l e
- 2 3 5
R a - 2 2 6
5 5
B q / k g
R a - 2 2 6
5 0
B q / k g
R a - 2 2 6
2 0 - 4 0
B q / k g
•
High exposure rates of gamma radiation were detected in the
areas of destroyed tanks and armored vehicles. The increase
in the exposure rates ranged between 8 – 184 μR/hr. The
background exposure level in the study area is 6 – 7 μR/hr.
•
The highest exposure rates were recorded in the Jabal Sanam
area, Southern Rumaila Oil Fields and Northern Rumaila Oil
Fields in that order. Safwan and Al-Zubair measurements
indicated slight increases of exposure in correlation to
background levels. Destroyed artilleries were removed from
these areas without any signs or indicators of where they had
been. The limited exploration and sampling program is the
major cause of poor detection in these areas.
•
Soil sample laboratory tests proved high activity
concentrations of U-235 and U-238 measured as Th-234.
Activity concentration measurements of U-235 in soil samples
from contaminated areas of destroyed tanks and vehicles
ranged from 60 – 1050 Bq/Kg. For Th-234, the range was 237
– 65,200 Bq/Kg.
•
The highest activity concentrations were measured from soil
samples 0.1 m away from the targets. Surface soil recorded
higher U-235, U-238 activity levels than samples from 5 – 15,
or 15 – 30 cm deep. High activity levels were also recorded
for soil or dust reclaimed from inside the tanks.
•
The activity concentration ratios of U-235/U-238 range
between 0.003 – 0.0327 which are less than 0.046. This proves
that this activity results from DU radioisotopes and not from
natural radiation activity.
•
Since dominant wind and sandstorm direction is north-west
south-east most of the contaminants were transported back to
Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
•
No radiological activity could be detected in surface and
ground water samples collected from the area. Sediments from
channels and wadies in the area showed 2 – 3 fold increase in
radioactivity.
•
High Th-234 activity concentrations were detected in four
samples of wild plants (Haloxylon Salicornicum and Stippa
Capenisis) that were close to one of the destroyed tanks in
Jabal Sanam and the Southern Rumaila Oil Fields.
Conceptual Model of the Radioactive Mass Distribution in
Environ. Pathways from One Destroyed Tank by D.U.
In phase 2 of this research, the following was done:
1- Modeling of DU-related radioisotopes transport and spreading from 5,724
contaminated destroyed target to the surrounding areas, and the definition of their
concentrations in: air, water, soil, vegetation cover of the previous figure.
2- Use of reverse analysis to define DU radionuclides concentrations in 1991 and the
following years instead of 1996 only.
3- The prediction of total contaminated soil areas, water and water sediments, vegetation
cover for the period of 1991 – 1996. The areas were categorized as either high,
medium or low contamination. Results of DU contamination modeling is shown in
the table…
Environmental
Element
Measuring
Unit
Level of Contamination
High
Medium
Low
Total
Soil
Km²
4.295
8.590
1705.1
1718
Water
m³
423,318
490,591
972,194
1,886,103
Channel Deposits
m²
---
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140,000
Vegetation Cover
Ton
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845,100