The objective of this study was set on three goals: (i) Chemical and radiological
characterization and leaching properties of the mixture of fly and bottom ash, (ii)
Chemical, radiological and mineralogical characterization of the Kastela Bay sediments,
and (iii) Estimation of the influence of TENORM deposition on the quality of sediments.
Samples of the mixture of fly and bottom ash, sediment cores ranging from 0 to 55 cm
and surface sediment samples were analyzed. Enrichment with heavy metals in the
mixture of fly and bottom ash ranged from 1.6 to 36 times while 226Ra and 238U were up to
50 times enriched. Most of the measured heavy metals in the ash were 3-4 times those in
the surrounding soil. It was found that over 37% of the total U could be removed from the
ash by the sea water. The highest enrichment in sediment cores was found for Zn (35.6
times), Pb (16 times), Cr (9.1 times) and Ni (4 times). The highest concentrations of total
uranium were determined at positions in the vicinity of the ash deposit site. Maximum
concentrations of heavy metals were found in deeper sediment segments deposited in
the period of the highest industrial production.