Study of the reduction of airborne222Rn through chemical stabilization of226Ra in uranium mill tailings

Abstract

In an attempt to decrease the emanating power of uranium and radium mill tailings, the tailings226Ra+2 were incorporated onto/into an alkaline earth sulfate crystal lattice. The difference in emanating power of aged and fresh crystals spiked with226Ra+2 solution to be adsorbed and incorporated into the sulfate crystal lattice was compared. The tailings were treated in three different slurries. The results indicate that treatment of tailings (by slurry) with BaSO4 is an effective method for reducing the emanating power of mill tailings when either deionized or HNO3 is used for a transfer medium of226Ra+2.