Effect of Radioactivity on the Biochemical Oxidation of Domestic Sewage (Final Report)

Technical Report · Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 EST 1951

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4394463· OSTI ID:4394463

Dobbins, William E. ^[1]; Edwards, Gail P. ^[1]; Grune, Werner N. ^[1]; Ehrenreich, Richard ^[1]

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1. New York Univ. (NYU), NY (United States)

The object of this research was to study the effect of radioactive phosphorus, P³², and radioactive iodine, I¹³¹, on the biological oxidation of domestic sewage, as part of a broader program designed to determine the effects of radioactive materials on sewerage systems, sewage treatment plants and bodies of water receiving sewage effluents. The biochemical oxidation reaction was chosen for the initial study because of its fundamental importance in sewage treatment processes and in the process of self purification in streams. The particular isotopes used in the study were chosen because of their relatively wide distribution and because they provided varying conditions of exposure to the sewage microorganisms. Radiophosphorus, P³², a pure beta emitter, participates in the metabolism of the organisms responsible for the oxidation of the organic matter in sewage, whereas, radioiodine, I¹³¹, a beta and gamma emitter is regarded as not being directly involved in the metabolism of these organisms.

• Research Organization: New York Univ. (NYU), NY (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
• NSA Number: NSA-06-001597
• OSTI ID: 4394463
• Report Number(s): NYO--1567
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOCHEMISTRY
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
IODINE 131
MEASURED VALUES
OXIDATION
OXYGEN
PHOSPHORUS 32
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOACTIVITY
RADIOISOTOPES
REDUCTION
RESIDUES
STANDARDS
VARIATIONS