Abstract
Results of laboratory lysimeter leaching tests indicate that the establishment of vegetation directly on the surface of pyrite-containing uranium tailings decreases but does not eliminate sulphuric acid generation. Acid generation is greatly decreased when iron-oxidizing bacteria are inhibited with thymol, and is completely eliminated by a 30 cm layer of compost on the surface of the tailings or by submerging the tailings under water. Radium-226 solubilization is not affected by any of these procedures, nor when the percolating water is adjusted to pH ∼ 4 with sulphuric and nitric acid acids. The results of this study suggest the possibility of arresting pyrite oxidation by underwater deposition, or by establishing a vegetated oxygen barrier on the surface of pyritecontaining tailings.
Published Version
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