Radio Activity Associated with Gypsum Leaching Process during the Production of Common Salt

The dissolution pattern of alpha and beta activity from gypsum sample when leached with 50,100,150ml of rain water,at different time intervals was determined. The dissolution rate increases if the solid to liquid ratio(gypsum to rain water volume) increases.It also increases with time , even though faster in the initial stages, slower in the subsequent stages. The dissolution rates are also influenced by the acidity, alkalinity, and chemical property of the leaching medium. The salinity also has its effect on leaching pattern. The gypsum which contains radio activity due to 226+228Ra was determined.