Abstract
Mining and milling has taken place in Saxony and Thuringia, in eastern Germany, for over 800 years. Radioactive waste rock was dumped without regard for the environment for centuries. The area is now rather densely populated, and some of the smaller dumps and tailings have been used as municipal or industrial landfills after the uranium mine and mill closed. Ground water contamination has occurred down-gradient of an industrial disposal plant in Dresden (Saxony). To determine the source of the contamination, a multi-parameter interpretation was done using234U,238U,226Ra,222Rn,2H,18O,34S, and13C, as well as conventional hydrochemical parameters. Ground water contamination in the natural aquifer beyond the disposal site was determined to be from the tailings due to its oxidizing, acidic character and high concentrations of sulfate, uranium and heavy metals. In this case, the contamination was not caused by recent seepage water from the dump. Water currently leaching from the tailings has been modified by water draining from the superimposed waste, which has had a positive influence on the tailings. Uranium and heavy metals have been immobilized in place due to the changes in the chemical environment.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
