View in EDS

Radioecological characterization of a uranium mining site located in a semi-arid region in Brazil

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Radioecological characterization of a uranium mining site located in a semi-arid region in Brazil
Authors: Fernandes, Horst M.1,2 monkenhorst@yahoo.com.br, Lamego Simoes Filho, F. Fernando1, Perez, Valeska3, Franklin, Mariza Ramalho1, Gomiero, Luiz Alberto4
Source: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. May2006, Vol. 88 Issue 2, p140-157. 18p.
Subjects: Radioactive waste characterization, Uranium mining, Radium isotopes, Radioisotopes
Abstract: Abstract: The work presents the radioecological characterization of the new Brazilian uranium mining and milling site located in a semi-arid region of the country. The process characterization demonstrated that in heap leach plants most of the 226Ra remains in the leached ore. Despite the potential higher availability of radium isotopes in the soils of the studied region the lack of precipitation in that area reduces the leaching/mobilization of the radionuclides. High 226Ra and 228Ra concentrations were found in manioc while 210Pb was significant in pasture. It was suggested that a range from 10−3 to 10−1 may conveniently encompass most of the transfer factors (TF) values for soil/plant systems (i.e. involving different cultures, different soils and natural radionuclides). Impacts due to aerial transportation of aerosols and radon generated in the mining were proved to be minimal and restricted to an area not greater than 15km2. Finally, uranium complexation by carbonates was shown to be the main mechanism responding for the elevated radionuclide concentration in groundwater. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
Copyright of Journal of Environmental Radioactivity is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:Abstract: The work presents the radioecological characterization of the new Brazilian uranium mining and milling site located in a semi-arid region of the country. The process characterization demonstrated that in heap leach plants most of the 226Ra remains in the leached ore. Despite the potential higher availability of radium isotopes in the soils of the studied region the lack of precipitation in that area reduces the leaching/mobilization of the radionuclides. High 226Ra and 228Ra concentrations were found in manioc while 210Pb was significant in pasture. It was suggested that a range from 10−3 to 10−1 may conveniently encompass most of the transfer factors (TF) values for soil/plant systems (i.e. involving different cultures, different soils and natural radionuclides). Impacts due to aerial transportation of aerosols and radon generated in the mining were proved to be minimal and restricted to an area not greater than 15km2. Finally, uranium complexation by carbonates was shown to be the main mechanism responding for the elevated radionuclide concentration in groundwater. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
ISSN:0265931X
DOI:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2006.01.006