Radioecological investigations of uranium-mill-tailings systems. Second technical progress report, October 1, 1980-September 30, 1981
This document provides a status report on studies which address some of the problems and questions regarding the integrity and transport of uranium and certain radioactive progeny in active and reclaimed uranium mill tailings. The studies reported are being conducted at Pathfinder Mines Corporation's Shirley Basin Uranium Mine, located in a remote area of Carbon County in southeastern Wyoming. A considerable amount of effort, especially during the first few years of the study, must relate to basic characterization of the general environs as well as of specific study plots. Such characterization, which is essential for interpretation of analytical results for radionuclides, involves investigation of climate, soils, underground water, vegetation, and animals. Early results of such characterization work are reported herein. This investigation includes as a major component, studies relating to disposal of mill tailings by earthern covers. Of interest are the effects of various types and thicknesses of covers on radon emanation, ambient gamma radiation, biological incorporation of radionuclides, stability of soil and plant communities and physical migration of radioactivity. This report also summarizes work relating to levels of /sup 230/Th, /sup 226/Ra and /sup 210/Po in water, soils and vegetation from background (uncontaminated) sites, from areas near the tailings pond, and from reclaimed overburden areas. Another major activity is the investigation of specific mechanisms which lead to contamination of vegetation with radionuclides. The processes of root uptake and aerial deposition are under study through a variety of designed experiments and sampling schemes. A small-scale study on the metabolism of /sup 210/Po by mule deer and antelope is also reported.
- Research Organization:
- Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins (USA). Dept. of Radiology and Radiation Biology
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-79EV10305
- OSTI ID:
- 5823415
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/EV/10305-2; ON: DE82002719; TRN: 82-000966
- 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
GROUND WATER
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
MILL TAILINGS
LAND RECLAMATION
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
SOILS
DEER
GROUND COVER
PLANTS
POLONIUM 210
RADIOCHEMISTRY
RADIUM 226
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
THORIUM 230
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ALKALINE EARTH ISOTOPES
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
ANIMALS
CHEMISTRY
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
HEAVY NUCLEI
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
ISOTOPES
MAMMALS
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
NUCLEI
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLONIUM ISOTOPES
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIUM ISOTOPES
RUMINANTS
SOLID WASTES
TAILINGS
THORIUM ISOTOPES
VERTEBRATES
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
WATER
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
510302* - Environment
Terrestrial- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- Terrestrial Ecosystems & Food Chains- (-1987)
052002 - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage
510500 - Environment
Terrestrial- Site Resource & Use Studies- (-1989)