DETERMINATION OF URANIUM IN PHOSPHATE INDUSTRY EFFLUENTS USINGWDXRF: CONCENTRATION ASSESSMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

Uranium in phosphate industry effluents poses significant environmental risks due to its chemical toxicity and radiological properties. This study evaluates wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) as a rapid and non-destructive method for the direct determination of uranium in liquid effluents without complex sample preparation. The method demonstrated good precision, with a coefficient of variation of 1.6%, confirming its suitability for routine monitoring. Uranium concentrations were found to be approximately 10 mg/L, significantly exceeding international guideline values established by the World Health Organization and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (0.03 mg/L). Such elevated levels highlight the potential for serious environmental impacts, including contamination of aquatic systems, sediment accumulation, and bioaccumulation in the food chain.These findings emphasize the necessity of implementing effective treatment strategies prior to discharge. Overall, WDXRF is confirmed as a reliable and cost-effective technique for environmental monitoring of uranium in industrial wastewater.