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Title: Special study on vegetative covers. [UMTRA Project]

Abstract

This report describes the findings of a special study on the use of vegetative covers to stabilize tailings piles for the Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) Project. The principal rationale for using plants would be to establish a dynamic system for controlling water balance. Specifically, vegetation would be used to intercept and transpire precipitation to the atmosphere, rather than allowing water to drain into the tailings and mobilize contaminants. This would facilitate compliance with groundwater standards proposed for the UMTRA Project by the Environmental Protection Agency. The goals of the study were to evaluate the feasibility of using vegetative covers on UMTRA Project piles, define the advantages and disadvantages of vegetative covers, and develop general guidelines for their use when such use seems reasonable. The principal method for the study was to analyze and apply to the UMTRA Project the results of research programs on vegetative covers at other US Department of Energy (DOE) waste management facilities. The study also relied upon observations made of existing stabilized piles at UMTRA Project sites where natural vegetation is growing on the rock-covered surfaces. Water balance and erosion models were also used to quantify the long-term performance of vegetative covers planned formore » the topslopes of stabilized piles at Grand Junction and Durango, Colorado, two UMTRA Project sites where the decision was made during the course of this special study to use vegetative covers. Elements in the design and construction of the vegetative covers at these two sites are discussed in the report, with explanations of the differing features that reflect differing environmental conditions. 28 refs., 18 figs., 9 tabs.« less

Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
Sponsoring Org.:
DOE/NE
OSTI Identifier:
6345388
Report Number(s):
JEGA/UMT-1288-0525
ON: DE91005842; TRN: 91-004384
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-82AL14086
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS; ABANDONED SITES; REMEDIAL ACTION; GROUND COVER; FEASIBILITY STUDIES; MILL TAILINGS; CONTAINMENT; EROSION; STABILITY; SOLID WASTES; TAILINGS; WASTES; 054000* - Nuclear Fuels- Health & Safety

Citation Formats

. Special study on vegetative covers. [UMTRA Project]. United States: N. p., 1988. Web. doi:10.2172/6345388.
. Special study on vegetative covers. [UMTRA Project]. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/6345388
. 1988. "Special study on vegetative covers. [UMTRA Project]". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/6345388. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/6345388.
@article{osti_6345388,
title = {Special study on vegetative covers. [UMTRA Project]},
author = {},
abstractNote = {This report describes the findings of a special study on the use of vegetative covers to stabilize tailings piles for the Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) Project. The principal rationale for using plants would be to establish a dynamic system for controlling water balance. Specifically, vegetation would be used to intercept and transpire precipitation to the atmosphere, rather than allowing water to drain into the tailings and mobilize contaminants. This would facilitate compliance with groundwater standards proposed for the UMTRA Project by the Environmental Protection Agency. The goals of the study were to evaluate the feasibility of using vegetative covers on UMTRA Project piles, define the advantages and disadvantages of vegetative covers, and develop general guidelines for their use when such use seems reasonable. The principal method for the study was to analyze and apply to the UMTRA Project the results of research programs on vegetative covers at other US Department of Energy (DOE) waste management facilities. The study also relied upon observations made of existing stabilized piles at UMTRA Project sites where natural vegetation is growing on the rock-covered surfaces. Water balance and erosion models were also used to quantify the long-term performance of vegetative covers planned for the topslopes of stabilized piles at Grand Junction and Durango, Colorado, two UMTRA Project sites where the decision was made during the course of this special study to use vegetative covers. Elements in the design and construction of the vegetative covers at these two sites are discussed in the report, with explanations of the differing features that reflect differing environmental conditions. 28 refs., 18 figs., 9 tabs.},
doi = {10.2172/6345388},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6345388}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1988},
month = {Tue Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1988}
}