Scientists at Colorado State University, USA, have performed statistical analysis on publicly available data relating to in situ recovery uranium mining at a Wyoming mine to evaluate the efficacy of groundwater sweep remediation with reverse osmosis and H2S (chemical reductant) treatment, and also to evaluate the time needed for site stabilization and the immobilization of target contaminants.
The team concluded that groundwater sweep remediation, combined with reverse osmosis treatment, provided a very good level of remediation. Additional chemical reductant treatment did not appear to improve the contaminant levels. With regards to the immobilization of target contaminants, the team believe that natural attenuation is likely to be the major factor in immobilizing residual concentrations, stopping them from moving outside the mined area. Additional studies are needed to collect more data to improve the understanding of the environmental impacts of the different remediation techniques.
Determination of contaminant levels and remediation efficacy in groundwater at a former in situ recovery uranium mine
Thomas Borch, Nicholas Roche and Thomas E. Johnson
DOI: 10.1039/C2EM30077J
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