Using Reactive Transport Modeling to Evaluate the Source Term: The First Challenge in the Remediation Actions to be Implemented in the Closeout of First Uranium Mining in Brazil
- Institute of Radiation Protection and Dosimetry/Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission Av Salvador Allende S/N - Recreio, Rio de Janeiro, 22642-970 (Brazil)
- University of Central Florida, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering 4000 Central Florida Blvd. Orlando, Florida, 32816-2450 (United States)
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Institute Graduate School and Research in Engineering, Cidade Universitaria - Centro de Tecnologia, Ilha do Fundao, Rio de Janeiro, 21945-970 (Brazil)
This paper discusses the application of a reactive transport model as a powerful tool for the understanding of the hydrogeochemical processes that occur in one of the waste rock piles of the first uranium mine in Brazil, seeking to subsidize the appropriate choice of a remediation strategy. The Brazilian mine located at the Pocos de Caldas plateau, in the state of Minas Gerais, generated approximately 27.2 x 10{sup 6} m{sup 3} of waste rock. The waste rock pile object of this study presents a volume of 12.4 x 10{sup 6} m{sup 3} and an area of 56.9 x 10{sup 6} m{sup 2}. Pyrite oxidation was found to be a critical factor in the mobilization of metals and radionuclides to environment. It was estimated that acid drainage generation will last for 600 years. The long time scale involved on the oxidation of pyrite materials implies the need for adoption of permanent remedial actions. (authors)
- Research Organization:
- WM Symposia, Inc., PO Box 13023, Tucson, AZ, 85732-3023 (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 21210765
- Report Number(s):
- INIS-US-09-WM-06556; TRN: US09V1193081227
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Waste Management 2006 Symposium - WM'06 - Global Accomplishments in Environmental and Radioactive Waste Management: Education and Opportunity for the Next Generation of Waste Management Professionals, Tucson, AZ (United States), 26 Feb - 2 Mar 2006; Other Information: Country of input: France; 32 refs
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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