“In situ” radiation cleaning of underground water contaminated with cyanides - six years of experience

The locality of underground water, contaminated with cyanides, has been successfully cleaned by using the hydraulic barrier method (assembly of pumped wells) since 1986. The average cyanide concentrations in the outflow exceeded 35 m per litre. Contamination had to be eliminated before the discharge into the sewer system. The radiation approach “in situ” i.e. decomposition of cyanides by barrier, was applied and is still being used today. The cyanide concentration was lowered more than one order of magnitude. This process was approved by the Czechoslovak radiation security authorities and further applications of “in Situ” regeneration of underground water contamination is anticipated.