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Title: Influence of cover defects on the attenuation of radon with earthen covers

Abstract

Experimental and theoretical evaluations of radon flux through laboratory-scale defective soil columns are presented together with a survey of literature on the formation and prevention of defects in soil covers. This report focuses on air-filled, centimeter-scale defects that are most probable in earthen covers for attenuating radon emission from uranium-mill tailings. Examples include shirnkage and erosion cracks, erosion piping, animal burrows and air channels formed by the biodegradation of vegetation roots. Calculations based on mathematical models indicate that collections of defects which could increase the radon flux from an earthen cover by a factor of two would be easily detected by visual inspection. However, these models ignore air-turbulence in the defect and drying of the soil around the defect. Laboratory measurements showed that turbulent diffusion of radon occurred through defects as narrow as 0.3 cm when subjected to a transverse air velocity of 1 to 6 miles per hour at the surface. Both turbulence and more-rapid drying of soil can accelerate radon flux to the cover surface. Consequently, recommended methods to inhibit defect formation should be applied. 29 references, 3 figures, 5 tables.

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
5411352
Report Number(s):
NUREG/CR-3395; PNL-4776
ON: DE84004273
DOE Contract Number:  
AC06-76RL01830
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS; 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES; RADON; DIFFUSION; SOILS; RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION; COVERINGS; MILL TAILINGS; RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL; ELEMENTS; ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT; FLUIDS; GASES; MANAGEMENT; MASS TRANSFER; NONMETALS; RARE GASES; SOLID WASTES; TAILINGS; WASTE DISPOSAL; WASTE MANAGEMENT; WASTES; 054000* - Nuclear Fuels- Health & Safety; 053000 - Nuclear Fuels- Environmental Aspects; 510301 - Environment, Terrestrial- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- Soil- (-1987); 052000 - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Management

Citation Formats

Kalkwarf, D R, and Mayer, D W. Influence of cover defects on the attenuation of radon with earthen covers. United States: N. p., 1983. Web. doi:10.2172/5411352.
Kalkwarf, D R, & Mayer, D W. Influence of cover defects on the attenuation of radon with earthen covers. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/5411352
Kalkwarf, D R, and Mayer, D W. 1983. "Influence of cover defects on the attenuation of radon with earthen covers". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/5411352. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/5411352.
@article{osti_5411352,
title = {Influence of cover defects on the attenuation of radon with earthen covers},
author = {Kalkwarf, D R and Mayer, D W},
abstractNote = {Experimental and theoretical evaluations of radon flux through laboratory-scale defective soil columns are presented together with a survey of literature on the formation and prevention of defects in soil covers. This report focuses on air-filled, centimeter-scale defects that are most probable in earthen covers for attenuating radon emission from uranium-mill tailings. Examples include shirnkage and erosion cracks, erosion piping, animal burrows and air channels formed by the biodegradation of vegetation roots. Calculations based on mathematical models indicate that collections of defects which could increase the radon flux from an earthen cover by a factor of two would be easily detected by visual inspection. However, these models ignore air-turbulence in the defect and drying of the soil around the defect. Laboratory measurements showed that turbulent diffusion of radon occurred through defects as narrow as 0.3 cm when subjected to a transverse air velocity of 1 to 6 miles per hour at the surface. Both turbulence and more-rapid drying of soil can accelerate radon flux to the cover surface. Consequently, recommended methods to inhibit defect formation should be applied. 29 references, 3 figures, 5 tables.},
doi = {10.2172/5411352},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5411352}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1983},
month = {Tue Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1983}
}