Speciation and Mobility of Uranium in Waste Materials Generated by Mining and Hydrometallurgy in Jaduguda, India
Publication: Journal of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste
Volume 26, Issue 2
Abstract
Samples of fine tailings from shallow depths of a waste depository (i.e., tailings pond) from uranium (U) ore processing in Jaduguda, India, were investigated to determine the speciation of the U and its association with certain physicochemical parameters. The aim was to understand the phenomena that can lead to the migration of U from the tailings pile to the adjoining environment. Natural processes were found to impact the physicochemical features of the tailings, as reflected in samples collected from a non-operational (first stage) and an operational (third stage) tailings pond. The average concentrations of U were 63.73 ± 5.34 mg/kg and 91.98 ± 9.33 mg/kg in the first- and third-stage ponds, respectively. A sequential extraction of tailings samples showed that the major fraction of U was bound to the residual phase, followed by an iron/manganese (Fe/Mn) oxide phase. The average fractions of U bound to these two phases were 38.7% and 35.8% as residual and 30.7% and 25.1% as Fe/Mn oxide in the first- and third-stage ponds, respectively. The findings demonstrate that, on average, 5% and 2.5% of the total U in the samples from the nonoperational and operational tailings ponds were active/mobile. This low mobility substantially minimizes the impact on the adjoining environment. In addition, the state-of-the-art technology used for waste immobilization, along with the site condition, are favorable for the long-term storage of the fine tailings from the ore-processing unit.
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Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to Shri R. M. Suresh Babu (Associate Director, Health, Safety and Environment Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai) for his support and encouragement during this study. Thanks are due to Shri M. K. Mishra (EMAD, BARC) for providing the map of the study area. Suggestions received on the manuscript from our colleagues in the Health Physics Unit, Jaduguda are also acknowledged. The authors are also thankful to the Uranium Corporation of India Limited for providing the facilities and assistance needed for the study.
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Journal of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste
Volume 26 • Issue 2 • April 2022
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© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Jun 24, 2021
Accepted: Oct 14, 2021
Published online: Feb 10, 2022
Published in print: Apr 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Jul 10, 2022
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