Intrusion of soil covered uranium mill tailings by whitetail prairie dogs and Richardson's ground squirrels
The primary objective of the reclamation of uranium mill tailings is the long-term isolation of the matrial from the biosphere. Fossorial and semi-fossorial species represent a potentially disruptive influence as a result of their burrowing habits. The potential for intrusion was investigated with respect to two sciurids, the whitetail prairie dog (Cynomys leucurus) and Richardson's ground squirrel (Spermophilus richardsonii). Populations of prairie dogs were established on a control area, lacking a tailings layer, and two experimental areas, underlain by a waste layer, in southeastern Wyoming. Weekly measurements of prairie dog mound surface activities were conducted to demonstrate penetration, or lack thereof, of the tailings layer. Additionally, the impact of burrowing upon radon flux was determined. Limited penetration of the waste layer was noted after which frequency of inhabitance of the intruding burrow system declined. No significant changes in radon flux were detected. In another experiment, it was found that Richardson's ground squirrels burrowed to less extreme depths when confronted by mill tailings. Additional work at an inactive tailings pile in western Colorado revealed repeated intrusion through a shallow cover, and subsequent transport of radioactive material to the ground surface by prairie dogs. Radon flux from burrow entrances was significantly greater than that from undisturbed ground. Data suggested that textural and pH properties of tailings material may act to discourage repeated intrusion at some sites. 58 references.
- Research Organization:
- Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins (USA). Dept. of Radiology and Radiation Biology
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-79EV10305
- OSTI ID:
- 6386591
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/EV/10305-14; ON: DE85000007
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
PRAIRIE DOGS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
SOILS
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
SQUIRRELS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GROUND DISPOSAL
HUMIDITY
LAND RECLAMATION
MILL TAILINGS
PH VALUE
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADON 222
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
ANIMALS
DATA
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
HEAVY NUCLEI
INFORMATION
ISOTOPES
MAMMALS
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
NUCLEI
NUMERICAL DATA
RADIOISOTOPES
RADON ISOTOPES
RODENTS
SOLID WASTES
TAILINGS
VERTEBRATES
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
510300* - Environment
Terrestrial- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)