Pollution Risk Assessment in the Area of an Operating Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plant

Data on the elemental and radionuclide (40K, 137Сs, and U- and Th-series radionuclides) composition of the samples of coal, bottom ash, and fly ash from the largest thermal power plant TPP-4 located in Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) and soil and plants samples in the area of this TPP are reported. Analytical determinations were carried out using X-ray fluorescence, gamma-activation, and gamma-spectrometric analysis. It was found that the coals used were enriched in toxic trace elements; elements such as V, Zn, As, Pb, Bi, Th, U, and natural radionuclides, including 210Pb, were significantly concentrated in the ash fractions, as compared to the initial fuel. The degree of soil contamination, the radiation hazard of the TPP impact for the population, and the level of potential hazard (material’s hazard class) of ash and slag waste were evaluated. It was recommended to perform regular monitoring.