Radioecological investigations of uranium mill tailings systems. Progress report, September 1, 1979-September 30, 1980
The initial 13 months of this program have been devoted to staffing, development of a radiochemistry capability, development of a mill tailings reclamation study, studies on hydraulic properties of soils, initiation of plant uptake studies, preparation for metabolic studies with deer and antelope, and sample collections. Through the addition of new personnel and equipment, we are rapidly developing analytical capabilities for /sup 238/U, /sup 230/Th, /sup 226/Ra, /sup 210/Pb and /sup 210/Po in matrices such as soil, water, plant material, and animal tissues. A 4 acre study site was developed in cooperation with the Pathfinder Mines Corp. at the Shirley Basin Uranium Mine in Wyoming. The study site is designed for investigations on the influence of various kinds and thicknesses of mill tailings soil covers on the integrity of reclaimed tailings and inherent radionuclides. Studies on the hydraulic properties of various soil materials were conducted and data analysis is in progress. Plots and procedures for conducting plant uptake studies on uranium and progeny were established and long-term investigations have been initiated. A colony of tame mule deer and pronghorn antelope has been developed for studies on the uptake and retention of /sup 210/Pb and /sup 210/Po. Numerous collections of soil, vegetation and water from the Shirley Basin Uranium Mine environs were conducted and radiochemical assay is in progress.
- Research Organization:
- Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins (USA). Dept. of Radiology and Radiation Biology
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Environment, Safety and Health (EH)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-79EV10305
- OSTI ID:
- 5013153
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/EV/10305-1; TRN: 80-017971
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Radioecological investigations of uranium-mill-tailings systems. Fourth technical progress report, October 1, 1982-September 30, 1983
Radioecological investigations of uranium mill tailings systems: Final report for the period September 1, 1979 through April 30, 1987
Related Subjects
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
MILL TAILINGS
LAND RECLAMATION
DEER
LEAD 210
PLANTS
POLONIUM 210
RADIOCHEMISTRY
RADIONUCLIDE KINETICS
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
RADIUM 226
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SOILS
THORIUM 230
URANIUM 238
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ALKALINE EARTH ISOTOPES
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
ANIMALS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CHEMISTRY
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
HEAVY NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
LEAD ISOTOPES
MAMMALS
MASS TRANSFER
NUCLEI
POLONIUM ISOTOPES
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIUM ISOTOPES
RUMINANTS
SOLID WASTES
TAILINGS
THORIUM ISOTOPES
URANIUM ISOTOPES
VERTEBRATES
WASTES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
510302* - Environment
Terrestrial- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- Terrestrial Ecosystems & Food Chains- (-1987)
052002 - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage