A trial investigation by scanning electron microscopy of uranium particulate in building debris associated with a depleted uranium munitions strike site during the Kosovo conflict

Milodowski, A.E.. 2001 A trial investigation by scanning electron microscopy of uranium particulate in building debris associated with a depleted uranium munitions strike site during the Kosovo conflict. Nottingham, UK, British Geological Survey, 20pp. (CR/01/145N) (Unpublished)

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Abstract/Summary

Recent public debate has highlighted the concern over the potential long-term environmental and health effects arising from the use of depleted uranium (DU) munitions in recent military conflicts (Royal Society, 2001). DU munitions were used by NATO anti-tank (A-10) aircraft against Serbian targets during the recent conflict in Kosovo. In the United Kingdom, DERA are investigating the radiological and toxicological risk from DU munitions used in Kosovo. On behalf of DERA, the British Geological Survey (BGS) undertook the analysis of two samples of building debris from a DU munitions strike site (VJ Barracks) to characterise the nature of uranium-rich particulate material in DU-contaminated material. The samples were analysed by scanning electron microscopy techniques, using backscattered scanning electron microscopy (BSEM) to locate the uraniferous particles, and secondary electron imaging (SEM) to observe the morphology of the particles. Phase identification was supported by semi-quantitative microchemical information obtained from the phases by simultaneous energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDXA) during BSEM and SEM observation. This report details the analytical methods used and presents the observations and conclusions from this study. BSEM proved very successful in locating dense uranium particulates on the surfaces of masonry fragments (cement mortar, concrete dust and fired-clay roof tile) because the very high atomic number of uranium produces high electron backscattering effects. Uraniferous particles were found on masonry debris in both samples. It is concluded that this represents DU dust since no similar uraniferous material was found within freshly broken surfaces of the masonry material. The uraniferous particulate material falls into two size classes: (i) very fine material with a particle size less than 2 μm and generally less than 0.5 μm; and (ii) coarser particles, typically 10-15 μm in size, which comprise aggregates of finer uraniferous material with calcium silicate or aluminosilicate material. None of the uraniferous particles observed illustrated the typical spherical morphology of DU particulate reported previously from test firing of DU munitions against hard targets (cf. Patrick & Cornette, 1978). Instead, the observed DU particles from the VJ Barracks debris are mainly flaky in morphology (single particles) or aggregates of flaky or diffuse material. The DU particulate displays a variety of compositions. Some material is possibly partly oxidised microscopic uranium metal shards. This is particularly the case for particles found on the roof-tile fragments. However, particles found on cementitious debris (either cement mortar or concrete dust) are more complex, varying from uranium oxide to calcium-uranium silicate or calcium-uranium aluminosilicate phases. Although it is possible that the EDXA analyses obtained from very fine uraniferous particulate are influenced by background X-ray emission from the cement substrate, observation of coarser particles (>10 μm) suggest that in the calcium, silicon (and aluminium) are intrinsic to the uraniferous particle itself. This implies that there has been reaction between the uranium and calcium silicate or calcium aluminosilicate matrix of the cement. There is also evidence that some of the DU particulate has been altered to a uranium carbonate phase.

Item Type:	Publication - Report
Programmes:	BGS Programmes > Other
Funders/Sponsors:	British Geological Survey
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	This item has been internally reviewed, but not externally peer-reviewed. Report made open in November 2005.
Date made live:	29 Aug 2024 09:08 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/537937

Item Type:

Publication - Report

Programmes:

BGS Programmes > Other

Funders/Sponsors:

British Geological Survey

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

This item has been internally reviewed, but not externally peer-reviewed. Report made open in November 2005.

Date made live:

29 Aug 2024 09:08 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/537937