Acidic Radioactive Phosphate Fertilizer Waste

Geismar, Louisiana, USA

Effluent from phosphate fertilizer production is pumped into this “gypstack” storage impoundment. Excavators spread the waste on the walls of the impoundment to build up its surface height for greater storage capacity. This waste consists of gypsum, sulfuric acid and an assortment of heavy metals, including uranium and radium. When the price of uranium is high enough, this facility sells large quantities to the nuclear industry as a byproduct. Airborne dust containing radionuclides (radioactive particles) from the impoundments can be breathed in by people and animals and settle onto ponds and agricultural areas. Many of these impoundments are unlined, allowing the toxic slurry to mix with groundwater, and heavy rainfall can cause slurry to overflow and contaminate surface water.