Naturally occurring radioactive material NORM

According to the vendor, the technology can be used to (1) remediate water and sludges contaminated with radionuclides and heavy metals, (2) restore gronndwater from mining operations, (3) treat naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) in water or scale from petroleum operations, and (4) remediate man-made radionuclides stored in tanks, pits, barrels, or other containers. 

In addition to the analysis of artificial radionuclides, mass spectrometry is useful for characterizing naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs). NORMs consist of Th and... 

Operations and activities which act to concentrate and redistribute naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) in the environment are numerous and further sources continue to be identified. The following sources have been identified as major contributors ... 

Anthropogenic radioactive contamination of the marine environment has several sources disposal at sea, discharges to the sea, accidental releases and fallout from nuclear weapon tests and nuclear accidents. In addition, discharge of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) from offshore oil and gas production is a considerable source for contamination. 

AR128 Transition from operation to decommissioning of nuclear installations. No. 420, 14 June 2004. AR129 Extent of environmental contamination by naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) and technological options for mitigation. No. 419, 9 January 2004. 

Beddow, H., Black, S. Read, D. (2006). Naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) from a fonner phosphoric acid processing plant. J. Environ. Radioactivity. 86, 289-312. 

Bull E2 Managennent of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) in Oil and Gas... 

Due to their thermal, physical, or chemical properties, other materials handled in offshore operations may constitute a safety or environmental hazard if released in an uncontrolled manner. Such substances include steam, hot water, certain chemicals, heat transfer fluids, molten sulphur, and naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM). 

NORM Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material. NORM includes some of the primordial nuclides and their daughters and certain nuclides continuously created in the environment. Contrast anthropogenic radiotmclides. 

Grice, K.J., Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in the oil and gas industry A new challenge. Proceedings of the First International Conference on Health, Safety, and Environment in Oil and Gas Exploration and Production, 1991, pp. 559-571. 

The luaniiun solubility curves were indicative of moderate solubility, but the activities were too low and it was imcertain how much of the uranium was naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) from the filter matrix and deposited dusts and dirt and how much was from AWE operations. These NORM levels will vary with the batch and type of filter and the environment. This issue will be of much less concern for follow on tests with higher (i.e. 1-5 Bq) uranium activities. 

Certain barium sulfate scales are radioactive and hence are termed naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM). Uranium present in the scale crystal lattice causes the radioactivity. This characteristic must he assessed prior to any removal and handling considerations. 

This section not only describes the activities that are covered by RP 75 but also defines the toxic substances that are used offshore and that should be part of the SEMP. They are hydrogen sulfide (H2S), Chlorine (CI2) and Ammonia (NH3). Other chemicals and materials that have the potential to create a safety or environmental hazard should also be included in the SEMP, when they are used or when they are found in the produced oU and water. These materials can include steam, hot water, heat transfer fluids, molten sulfur and naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM). 

Practical means of dissolving barium or strontium sulfate are not available. These hard scales can be removed by mechanical means, which is a time-consuming process. Mechanical removal of scale can create a disposal problem for the resulting waste material and possibly could result in contamination by naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM). 

NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL (NORM). Sources of radiation that occur naturally and, hence, whose presence should have a benign explanation. For example, radium is a NORM because all of its isotopes are radioactive. Detecting radium is not necessarily indicative of any suspicious activity, as its presence can be mere happenstance. On the other hand, plutonium is a man-made element. All its isotopes are radioactive material and many are useful for making a nuclear weapon. Consequently, any detection of plutonium would be cause for further investigation. 

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