Anirban Basu, Shaun T. Brown
In situ recovery (ISR) uranium (U) mining mobilizes U in its oxidized hexavalent form (U(VI)) by oxidative dissolution of U from the roll-front U deposits. Postmining natural attenuation of residual U(VI) at ISR mines is a potential remediation strategy. Detection and monitoring of naturally occurring reducing subsurface environments are important for successful implementation of this remediation scheme. We used the isotopic tracers 238U/235U( δ238U), 234U/238U activity ratio, and 34S/32S( δ34S), and geochemical measurements of U ore and groundwater collected from 32 wells located within, upgradient, and downgradient of a roll-front U deposit to detect U(VI) reduction and U mobility at an ISR mining site at Rosita, TX, USA. The δ238U in Rosita groundwater varies from +0.61‰ to −2.49‰, with a trend toward lower δ238U in downgradient wells. The concurrent decrease in U(VI) concentration and δ238U with an ε of 0.48‰ ± 0.08‰ is indicative of naturally occurring reducing environments conducive to U(VI) reduction. Additionally, characteristic 234U/238U activity ratio and δ34S values may also be used to trace the mobility of the ore zone groundwater after mining has ended. These results support the use of U isotope-based detection of natural attenuation of U(VI) at Rosita and other similar ISR mining sites.
@article{19fde3fb-9e70-4fdd-9612-a0b3e453825a,
title={Isotopic and Geochemical Tracers for U(VI) Reduction and U Mobility at an in Situ Recovery U Mine},
author={Anirban Basu and Shaun T. Brown},
year={2012},
language={en}
}TY - JOUR TI - Isotopic and Geochemical Tracers for U(VI) Reduction and U Mobility at an in Situ Recovery U Mine AU - Anirban Basu AU - Shaun T. Brown PY - 2012 LA - en ER -
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