Radiological impacts of Jackpile-Paguate uranium mines: an analysis of alternatives of decommissioning

Technical Report · Mon Feb 28 23:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:6468624

Momeni, M H; Tsai, S Y.H.; Yang, J Y; Gureghian, A B; Dungey, C E

Potential pathways of radiation exposure and radiation-induced genetic and somatic effects from materials at the mine complex under five alternatives of decommissioning were analyzed using UDAD and PRIM computer codes. The principal pathways of exposure included in the analysis were inhalation of airborne radionuclides, ingestion of food and water containing radionuclides, and extended exposure to gamma and beta radiation from either airborne or ground-deposited radionuclides. The alternatives of decommissioning include (A) No Action (site will be fenced, otherwise left as it is), (B) No Future Use (site will be fenced and all disturbed area will be covered with 30 cm of soil, no grazing on the site); (C1) Grazing Land Use as developed by Anaconda Company (protore, waste piles, and open pits covered with 120 cm of soil, the remainder of the disturbed areas covered with 30 cm of soil, pits backfilled 90 cm above the equilibrium groundwater recovery level, no human habitation or farming allowed on the mine site, but grazing would be allowed); (C2) Grazing Land Use as developed by US Department of the Interior (similar to Alternative C1, but the pits covered with 300 cm of soil above the groundwater recovery level); and (D) Maximum Future Use (similar to Alternative C2, except construction of commercial and industrial facilities, storage, recreation, and further mining would be allowed). Radiation doses from atmospheric transport and ingestion of radionuclides were calculated, and somatic and genetic effects in individuals living within 80 km from the mine complex were predicted. Hydrological flow patterns in the mine area were analyzed to determine the potential for future contamination of surface water and groundwater and to determine the groundwater recovery level after reclamation, thus permitting incorporation of corrective actions into the reclamation procedures.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6468624
• Report Number(s): ANL/ES-131; ON: DE83010687
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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