Radioecological investigations of uranium mill tailing systems. Sixth technical progress report, October 1, 1984-September 30, 1985
This report provides a status report on studies of the integrity and transport of several radionuclides in active and reclaimed uranium mill tailings. The program is designed to provide basic information on the radioecology of uranium and progeny, responses of native biota to the landscape disruptions associated with uranium production, and guidance for impact analysis, mitigation and regulation of the uranium industry. The studies reported are being conducted at the Shirley Basin Uranium Mine, which is operated by the Pathfinder Mines Corporation. The mine/mill operation, located in southeastern Wyoming, is typical in terms of the ore body, mill process, and ecological setting of many uranium production centers in the western United States. The intent has been to quantitatively evaluate the release of important radionuclides from active and reclaimed uranium mill tailings and their entry into the food chain. An experimental plot was developed in which a uniform slab of tailings was covered with various depths of earthen materials and seeded with native range vegetation. Performance of this vegetation is monitored annually. The ability of roots to function in or near buried tailings is under long-term study as well. Experiments on radon flux versus overburden depth have been conducted and these are continuing with emphasis on understanding the role of soil moisture and climatic variables. Experimental colonies of prairie dogs were introduced to the tailings reclamation plot. The resulting disruptive effects in terms of soil movement, transport of radionuclides and the impact on radon emanation have been studied and reported.
- Research Organization:
- Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins (USA). Dept. of Radiology and Radiation Biology
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-79EV10305
- OSTI ID:
- 5128819
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/EV/10305-17; ON: DE86002583
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Radioecological investigations of uranium mill tailings systems. Progress report, September 1, 1979-September 30, 1980
Radioecological investigations of uranium mill tailings systems: Final report for the period September 1, 1979 through April 30, 1987
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11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
MILL TAILINGS
RADIOECOLOGY
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
BUILDUP
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
LAND RECLAMATION
LEAD 210
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
POLONIUM 210
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIUM 226
RADON
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RODENTS
SOILS
THORIUM 230
URANIUM 238
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ALKALINE EARTH ISOTOPES
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
ANIMALS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
ECOLOGY
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FLUIDS
GASES
GROWTH
HEAVY NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
LEAD ISOTOPES
MAMMALS
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
NONMETALS
NUCLEI
POLONIUM ISOTOPES
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIUM ISOTOPES
RARE GASES
SOLID WASTES
TAILINGS
THORIUM ISOTOPES
URANIUM ISOTOPES
VERTEBRATES
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
052002* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage
053000 - Nuclear Fuels- Environmental Aspects
510302 - Environment
Terrestrial- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- Terrestrial Ecosystems & Food Chains- (-1987)