Geochemical constraints on U-mobility -- An application of geochemical modelling to the assessment of environmental risk originating from a former uranium mine
- W.S. Atkins International, Berlin (Germany)
- Holinger AG, Liestal (Switzerland)
Uranium mining in southeastern Germany resulted in major environmental risks. Closure of the mines and subsequent elevation of water levels may result in heavy-metal and radionuclide bearing mine waters penetrating into exploitable aquifers. While there are certain (geo-) technical constraints on the schedule with which flooding of the mines can proceed, this process must not result in aggravating the problem of metal release. The present study investigates the likely natural geochemical situation in the absence of further mining and different scenarios for the release of metals. It is concluded that rapid flooding, albeit avoiding unnecessary aeration of the water, would result in reducing conditions and consequently low U-solubilities. In turn, a slow flooding process with possibly oscillating water levels would induce severe pyrite-oxidation with consequently high U-solubilities and mobilities.
- OSTI ID:
- 225483
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950917-; ISBN 0-7918-1219-7; TRN: IM9621%%413
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 5. international conference on radioactive waste management and environmental remediation, Berlin (Germany), 3-9 Sep 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Fifth international conference on radioactive waste management and environmental remediation -- ICEM `95: Proceedings. Volume 2: Management of low-level waste and remediation of contaminated sites and facilities; Slate, S.; Baker, R.; Benda, G. [eds.]; PB: 911 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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