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USGS1982

Leaching of radionuclides from uranium ore and mill tailings ( Ra- 226, Tn-230).

The major part of the extractable uranium is associated with a readily acid-soluble fraction in both ore and tailings. The major part of the extractable 226Ra was associated with an iron, manganese hydrous-oxide fraction in the ore and tailings. Thorium-230 was the least leachable of the radionuclides studied. The major portion of the extractable 230Th was associated with alkaline-earth sulphate precipitates, organic matter, or both. The specific effects of milling on each of the nuclides are discussed.-Author

Uranium↗

USGS1986

Rock-water interaction in ash-flow tuffs (Yucca Mountain, Nevada, USA)- The record from uranium studies

Forty-eight core samples of ash-flow tuffs from Yucca Mountain, NV, were selected for comparative analysis by uranium-based methods to estimate past interaction with oxidizing water. Results aid in the selection of hydrologically isolated host rocks for radioactive waste disposal. U abundances were consistently more variable than thorium in whole rocks, suggesting some selective redistribution of U. Dissolved U correlates most strongly with dissolved manganese, indicating a predominant association of U with manganese oxides.

Nevada↗

USGS2006

Estimating limiting age for pleistocene erosional surfaces in central Montana by uranium-series dating of associated travertines

Travertine deposits overlie the highest Number 2 surfaces in central Montana and clasts of travertine occur in gravels on lower Number 2 surfaces. Dating these travertine deposits may provide limits on the ages of surfaces that record intervals of extensive erosion during Pleistocene time. Analysis of three travertine samples from the southeast side of The Park yield an average uranium‐thorium age of 73 000 ±+M 7 000 years. Another sample from the west side of The Park is 320 000 (+ 160 000, − 70 000) years old. These results indicate that travertine deposits may have formed at several intervals. The surface beneath The Park travertine is older than about 320 000 years. Number 2 pediment gravels that contain travertine downslope from the oldest dated sample may be younger than about 320 000 years.

Montana↗

USGS2020

Vegetation‐groundwater dynamics at a former uranium mill site following invasion of a biocontrol agent: A time series analysis of Landsat normalized difference vegetation index data

Because groundwater recharge in dry regions is generally low, arid and semiarid environments have been considered well‐suited for long‐term isolation of hazardous materials (e.g., radioactive waste). In these dry regions, water lost (transpired) by plants and evaporated from the soil surface, collectively termed evapotranspiration (ET), is usually the primary discharge component in the water balance. Therefore, vegetation can potentially affect groundwater flow and contaminant transport at waste disposal sites. We studied vegetation health and ET dynamics at a Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act (UMTRCA) disposal site in Shiprock, New Mexico, where a floodplain alluvial aquifer was contaminated by mill effluent. Vegetation on the floodplain was predominantly deep‐rooted, non‐native tamarisk shrubs ( Tamarix sp.). After the introduction of the tamarisk beetle ( Diorhabda sp.) as a biocontrol agent, the health of the invasive tamarisk on the Shiprock floodplain declined. We used Landsat normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data to measure greenness and a remote sensing algorithm to estimate landscape‐scale ET along the floodplain of the UMTRCA site in Shiprock prior to (2000–2009) and after (2010–2018) beetle establishment. Using groundwater level data collected from 2011 to 2014, we also assessed the role of ET in explaining seasonal variations in depth to water of the floodplain. Growing season scaled NDVI decreased 30% ( p < .001), while ET decreased 26% from the pre‐ to post‐beetle period and seasonal ET estimates were significantly correlated with groundwater levels from 2011 to 2014 ( r 2 = .71; p = .009). Tamarisk greenness (a proxy for health) was significantly affected by Diorhabda but has partially recovered since 2012. Despite this, increased ET demand in the summer/fall period might reduce contaminant transport to the San Juan River during this period.

New Mexico↗

USGS2022

Evapotranspiration covers at uranium mill tailings sites

Waste isolation is a key strategy for mitigating risk from municipal solid waste (MSW) and hazardous waste streams. Conventional covers at MSW facilities are designed for a 30-yr post-closure period where compacted soils and geosynthetics are used to minimize percolation into buried waste. Recently, evapotranspiration (ET) covers have shown beneficial use for MSW management. Evapotranspiration covers encourage infiltration, storage, and transpiration of precipitation to minimize percolation. Such covers may also have beneficial use for long-term waste issues, such as at Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act (UMTRCA) sites. These sites were covered by a clay radon barrier to create tortuous flow paths that allow radioactive decay and attenuation of short-lived, radon-222 gas. For long-term waste isolation, an ET-radon cover may provide greater resilience by exploiting natural processes instead of resisting them. This update presents a review of the current state-of-the-science regarding ET covers and considerations for long-term applications.

Conterminous United States↗

USGS2017

Uranium-Series Ages of Marine Terrace Corals from the Pacific Coast of North America and Implications for Last-Interglacial Sea Level History

Few of the marine terraces along the Pacific coast of North America have been dated using uranium-series techniques. Ten terrace sequences from southern Oregon to southern Baja California Sur have yielded fossil corals in quantities suitable for U-series dating by alpha spectrometry. U-series-dated terraces representing the ???80,000 yr sea-level high stand are identified in five areas (Bandon, Oregon; Point Arena, San Nicolas Island, and Point Loma, California; and Punta Banda, Baja California); terraces representing the ???125,000 yr sea-level high stand are identified in eight areas (Cayucos, San Luis Obispo Bay, San Nicolas Island, San Clemente Island, and Point Loma, California; Punta Bands and Isla Guadalupe, Baja California; and Cabo Pulmo, Baja California Sur). On San Nicolas Island, Point Loma, and Punta Bands, both the ???80,000 and the ???125,000 yr terraces are dated. Terraces that may represent the ???105,000 sea-level high stand are rarely preserved and none has yielded corals for U-series dating. Similarity of coral ages from midlatitude, erosional marine terraces with coral ages from emergent, constructional reefs on tropical coastlines suggests a common forcing mechanism, namely glacioeustatically controlled fluctuations in sea level superimposed on steady tectonic uplift. The low marine terrace dated at ???125,000 yr on Isla Guadalupe, Baja California, presumed to be tectonically stable, supports evidence from other localities for a +6-m sea level at that time. Data from the Pacific Coast and a compilation of data from other coasts indicate that sea levels at ???80,000 and ???105,000 yr may have been closer to present sea level (within a few meters) than previous studies have suggested.

Quaternary Research↗

USGS2014

Uranium series, volcanic rocks

Application of U-series dating to volcanic rocks provides unique and valuable information about the absolute timing of crystallization and differentiation of magmas prior to eruption. The 238U–230Th and 230Th-226Ra methods are the most commonly employed for dating the crystallization of mafic to silicic magmas that erupt at volcanoes. Dates derived from the U–Th and Ra–Th methods reflect crystallization because diffusion of these elements at magmatic temperatures is sluggish (Cherniak 2010) and diffusive re-equilibration is insignificant over the timescales (less than or equal to 10^5 years) typically associated with pre-eruptive storage of nearly all magma compositions (Cooper and Reid 2008). Other dating methods based on elements that diffuse rapidly at magmatic temperatures, such as the 40Ar/39Ar and (U–Th)/He methods, yield dates for the cooling of magma at the time of eruption. Disequilibrium of some short-lived daughters of the uranium series such as 210Po may be fractionated by saturation of a volatile phase and can be employed to date magmatic gas loss that is synchronous with volcanic eruption (e.g., Rubin et al. 1994).

Book chapter↗

USGS2022

Laboratory simulation of groundwater along uranium-mining-affected flow paths near the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA

Mining of volumetrically small, but relatively enriched (average 0.6% U 3 O 8 ) breccia pipe uranium (BPU) deposits near the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA has the potential to affect groundwater and springs in the area. Such deposits also contain base metal sulfides that can oxidize to generate acid mine drainage and release trace metals. In this study, sequential batch experiments were conducted to simulate the geochemistry of local shallow groundwater that contacts BPU ore and then moves downgradient through sedimentary strata. The experiments simulated shallow groundwater in a carbonate aquifer followed by contact with BPU ore. The experiments subsequently simulated contact with sedimentary rocks and changing oxygen availability. Concentrations of several contaminants of potential concern became substantially elevated in the waters exposed to BPU ore, including As, Co, Ni, U, and Zn, and to a lesser extent, Mo. Of these, Co, Mo, Ni, and U were minimally attenuated by downgradient processes, whereas Zn was partially attenuated. Sb and Tl concentrations were more moderately elevated but also generally minimally attenuated. Although the mixture of elements is particular to these BPU ore deposits, sulfide oxidation in the ore and carbonate buffering of pH by sedimentary rocks generates patterns of water chemistry common in acid mine drainage settings. Ultimately, downgradient concentrations of elements sourced from BPU ore will also be strongly influenced by non-geochemical factors such as the quantities of water contacting BPU materials, heterogeneity of materials along flow paths, and mixing with waters that have not contacted BPU materials.

Arizona↗

USGS2017

Pre-mining trace element and radiation exposure to biota from a breccia pipe uranium mine in the Grand Canyon (Arizona, USA) watershed

The risks to wildlife and humans from uranium (U) mining in the Grand Canyon watershed are largely unknown. In addition to U, other co-occurring ore constituents contribute to risks to biological receptors depending on their toxicological profiles. This study characterizes the pre-mining concentrations of total arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), thallium (Tl), U, and zinc (Zn); radiation levels; and histopathology in biota (vegetation, invertebrates, amphibians, birds, and mammals) at the Canyon Mine. Gross alpha levels were below the reporting limit (4 pCi/g) in all samples, and gross beta levels were indicative of background in vegetation (<10–17 pCi/g) and rodents (<10–43.5 pCi/g). Concentrations of U, Tl, Pb, Ni, Cu, and As in vegetation downwind from the mine were likely the result of aeolian transport. Chemical concentrations in rodents and terrestrial invertebrates indicate that surface disturbance during mine construction has not resulted in statistically significant spatial differences in fauna concentrations adjacent to the mine. Chemical concentrations in egg contents and nestlings of non-aquatic birds were less than method quantification limits or did not exceed toxicity thresholds. Bioaccumulation of As, Pb, Se, Tl, and U was evident in Western spadefoot ( Spea multiplicata ) tadpoles from the mine containment pond; concentrations of As (28.9–31.4 μg/g) and Se (5.81–7.20 μg/g) exceeded toxicity values and were significantly greater than in tadpoles from a nearby water source. Continued evaluation of As and Se in biota inhabiting and forging in the mine containment pond is warranted as mining progresses.

Arizona↗

USGS2023

Aquatic insect accumulation of uranium at spring outflows in the Grand Canyon region as influenced by aqueous and sediment geochemistry and biological factors: Implications for monitoring

Potential adverse ecological effects of expanded uranium (U) mining within the Grand Canyon region motivated studies to better understand U exposure and risk to endemic species. This study documents U exposures and analyzes geochemical and biological factors affecting U bioaccumulation at spring-fed systems within the Grand Canyon region. The principal objective was to determine if aqueous U was broadly indicative of U accumulated by insect larvae, a dominate fauna. Analyses focused on three widely distributed taxa: Argia sp. (a predatory damselfly), Culicidae (suspension feeding mosquitos), and Limnephilus sp. (a detritivorous caddisfly). The study showed that U accumulated by aquatic insects (and periphyton) generally correlated positively with total dissolved U, although correlations were strongest when based on modeled concentrations of the U-dicarbonato complex, UO 2 (CO 3 ) 2 –2 , and UO 2 (OH) 2 . Sediment metal concentration was a redundant indicator of U bioaccumulation. Neither insect size or U in the gut content of Limnephilus sp. substantially affected correlations between aqueous U and whole-body U concentrations. However, in Limnephilus sp., the gut and its content contained large quantities of U. Estimates of the sediment burden in the gut indicated that sediment was a minor source of U mass but contributed substantially to the total insect weight. As a result, whole-body U concentration would tend to vary inversely with the sediment burden of the gut. The correlations between aqueous U and bioaccumulated U provide an initial relational baseline against which newly acquired data could be evaluated for changes in U exposure during and after mining operations.

Arizona↗

USGS2006

Fertilizer-derived uranium and sulfur in rangeland soil and runoff: A case study in central Florida

Fertilizer applications to rangeland and pastures in central Florida have potential impact on the nutrient-sensitive ecosystems of Lake Okeechobee and the Northern Everglades. To investigate the effects of fertilizer applications, three soil profiles from variably managed and improved rangeland, and four samples of surface runoff from both fertilized and unfertilized pasture were collected. In addition to determining nutrient concentrations, isotopic analyses of uranium (U) and sulfur (S) were performed to provide isotopic evidence for U derived from historically applied phosphate (P)-bearing fertilizer ( 234 U 238U activity ratio =1.0 ?? 0.05), and Sderived from recently applied ammonium sulfate fertilizer(??34 S=3.5permil).The distribution and mobility of fertilizer-derived U in these samples is considered to be analogous to that of fertilizer-derived phosphate.Variations of U concentrations and 234 U/238 U activity ratios in soils indicate contribution of fertilizer-derived U in the upper portions of the fertilized soil (15-}34 percent of total U). The U isotope data for runoff from the fertilized field also are consistent with some contribution from fertilizer-derived U. Parallel investigations of S showed no consistent chemical or isotopic evidence for significant fertilizer-derived sulfate in rangeland soil or runoff. Relatively abundant and isotopically variable S present in the local environment hinders detection of fertilizer-derived sulfate. The results indicate a continuing slow-release of fertilizer-derived U and, by inference, P, to the P-sensitive ecosystem, and a relatively rapid release of sulfate of possible natural origin. ?? Springer 2006.

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution↗

USGS1956

The spectrophotometric determination of uranium by means of the azide ion

A method has been devised for the spectrophotometric determination of uranium by means of the azide ion. The method possesses several advantages over the various thiocyanate procedures. It has a slightly higher sensitivity, an aqueous medium is used, and the reaction product is more stable. Within the concentration limits tested, Beer's law is obeyed.

Analytica Chimica Acta↗

USGS1982

The mobility of uranium and other elements during alteration of rhyolite ash to montmorillonite: A case study in the Troublesome Formation, Colorado, U.S.A.

An unusual occurrence of juxtaposed glassy and clay-altered ash was sampled to estimate the degree and type of element mobility during alteration of glass to montmorillonite. The results are particularly interesting in that major mobilization of uranium is indicated. Closely spaced samples of glassy and montmorillonitic ash were collected from the same 20-50 cm thick stratigraphic horizon in the Troublesome Formation (Miocene) of northwestern Colorado. Sharp contacts exist between glassy ash and underlying pink montmorillonite and indicate that water-saturated conditions were restricted to basal ash layers. Formation of montmorillonite instead of zeolites suggests that the water was not highly saline or alkaline. Isotopic and chemical analyses of glassy and clay-altered samples indicate the following: 1. (1) Montmorillonite has U concentrations which are only 10-15% of the concentrations in coexisting glass. Similarly depleted elements include Cs, Rb, Na and K. Much smaller depletions of these elements in some glassy samples serve as sensitive indicators of incipient alteration of glass to montmorillonite. 2. (2) Abundances of relatively insoluble elements such as Th, Ta, Hf and Al are slightly higher (5-50%) in clay-altered ash and serve as indicators of the maximum levels of enrichment in residual material. Greater enrichment of elements such as Ca, Mg, Sr, Sc, P, Cr and Co indicate structural incorporation, adsorption, or ion-exchange uptake by clay or secondary hydrous oxides of Fe and Mn. 3. (3) The rare-earth-element patterns and abundances in glass are sufficiently mimicked by detritus-free montmorillonite to document the compositional equivalency of the two. 4. (4) Radioactive equilibrium exists between 238U and its decay products 234U and 230Th. This documents minimal open-system mobility of U within the last ??? 0.3 Ma. ?? 1982.

Chemical Geology↗

USGS1982

Uranium and thorium enrichment in rocks from the base of DSDP Hole 465A, Hess Rise, central North Pacific

Uranium and thorium are concentrated in Cretaceous limestone, chert, ash, basalt, and other rock types at Deep Sea Drilling Project Site 465 located on the southern Hess Rise in the central North Pacific. U concentrations, up to 194 ppm on a carbonate-free basis, are among the highest recorded for any deep-sea deposits. U was initially derived from seawater and concentrated by absorption on terrigenous (humic) organic matter in limestone in a shallow marine environment. U and Th were probably concentrated further by low-temperature hydrothermal fluids emanating from the basaltic basement. Mainly montmorillonite, an alteration product of basalt and ash, and organic matter in sedimentary rocks acted as hosts for U and Th. The unique combination of sediments rich in humic organic matter, abundant smectite in altered ash and basalt, and warm hydrothermal solutions provided the necessary conditions for migration and concentration of U and Th. To better understand the conditions limiting the migrating and concentration of U and Th, other rocks deposited during the ocean-wide Cretaceous anoxic events should be analyzed for these elements. ?? 1982.

Chemical Geology↗

USGS1980

Some factors controlling the concentration of uranium in the world ocean

Low-temperature alteration of the oceanic crust is a major sink for the U supplied to the oceans and may account for about 50% of the estimated present-day input of this element. Uranium uptake by organic-rich sediments and coexisting phosphorites on continental margins is also important and may remove in excess of 10% of the total supply. High-temperature alteration of oceanic basalts, metalliferous sediments, carbonate sediments, and sediments in anoxic basins deeper than 200 m play a relatively minor role in the removal of U. Each of these sinks is responsible for the uptake of less than 5% of the overall input.

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta↗

USGS1994

Uranium(VI) adsorption to ferrihydrite: Application of a surface complexation model

A study of U(VI) adsorption by ferrihydrite was conducted over a wide range of U(VI) concentrations, pH, and at two partial pressures of carbon dioxide. A two-site (strong- and weak-affinity sites, Fe s OH and Fe w OH, respectively) surface complexation model was able to describe the experimental data well over a wide range of conditions, with only one species formed with each site type: an inner-sphere, mononuclear, bidentate complex of the type (FeO 2 )UO 2 . The existence of such a surface species was supported by results of uranium EXAFS spectroscopy performed on two samples with U(VI) adsorption density in the upper range observed in this study (10 and 18% occupancy of total surface sites). Adsorption data in the alkaline pH range suggested the existence of a second surface species, modeled as a ternary surface complex with UO 2 CO 3 0 binding to a bidentate surface site. Previous surface complexation models for U(VI) adsorption have proposed surface species that are identical to the predominant aqueous species, e.g., multinuclear hydrolysis complexes or several U(VI)-carbonate complexes. The results demonstrate that the speciation of adsorbed U(VI) may be constrained by the coordination environment at the surface, giving rise to surface speciation for U(VI) that is significantly less complex than aqueous speciation.

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta↗

USGS1995

Sorption and coprecipitation of trace concentrations of thorium with various minerals under conditions simulating an acid uranium mill effluent environment

Sorption of thorium by pre-existing crystals of anglesite (PbSO 4 ), apatite (Ca 5 (PO 4 ) 3 (HO)), barite (BaSO 4 ), bentonite (Na 0.7 Al 3.3 Mg 0.7 Si 8 O 20 (OH) 4 ), celestite (SrSO 4 ), fluorite (CaF 2 ), galena (PbS), gypsum (CaSO 4 ·2H 2 O), hematite (Fe 2 O 3 ), jarosite (KFe 3 (SO 4 ) 2 (OH) 6 ), kaolinite (Al 2 O 3 ·2SiO 2 ·2H 2 O), quartz (SiO 2 ) and sodium feldspar (NaAlSi 3 O 8 ) was studied under conditions that simulate an acidic uranium mill effluent environment. Up to 100% removal of trace quantitiees of thorim (approx. 1.00 ppm in 0.01 N H 2 SO 4 ) from solution occurred within 3 h with fluorite and within 48 h in the case of bentonite. Quartz, jarosite, hematite, sodium feldspar, gypsum and galena removed less than 15% of the thorium from solution. In the coprecipitation studies, barite, anglesite, gypsum and celestite were formed in the presence of thorium (approx. 1.00 ppm). Approximately all of the thorium present in solution coprecipitated with barite and celestite; 95% coprecipitated with anglesite and less than 5% with gypsum under similar conditions. When jarosite was precipitated in the presence of thorium, a significant amount of thorium (78%) was incorporated in the precipitate.

Inorganica Chimica Acta↗

USGS1993

Enzymatic iron and uranium reduction by sulfate-reducing bacteria

The potential for sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) to enzymatically reduce Fe(III) and U(VI) was investigated. Five species of Desulfovibrio as well as Desulfobacterium autotrophicum and Desulfobulbus propionicus reduced Fe(III) chelated with nitrilotriacetic acid as well as insoluble Fe(III) oxide. Fe(III) oxide reduction resulted in the accumulation of magnetite and siderite. Desulfobacter postgatei reduced the chelated Fe(III) but not Fe(III) oxide. Desulfobacter curvatus, Desulfomonile tiedjei , and Desulfotomaculum acetoxidans did not reduce Fe(III). Only Desulfovibrio species reduced U(VI). U(VI) reduction resulted in the precipitation of uraninite. None of the SRB that reduced Fe(III) or U(VI) appeared to conserve enough energy to support growth from this reaction. However, Desulfovibrio desulfuricans metabolized H 2 down to lower concentrations with Fe(III) or U(VI) as the electron acceptor than with sulfate, suggesting that these metals may be preferred electron acceptors at the low H 2 concentrations present in most marine sediments. Molybdate did not inhibit Fe(III) reduction by D. desulfuricans . This indicates that the inability of molybdate to inhibit Fe(III) reduction in marine sediments does not rule out the possibility that SRB are important catalysts for Fe(III) reduction. The results demonstrate that although SRB were previously considered to reduce Fe(III) and U(VI) indirectly through the production of sulfide, they may also directly reduce Fe(III) and U(VI) through enzymatic mechanisms. These findings, as well as our recent discovery that the S o -reducing microorganism Desulfuromonas acetoxidans can reduce Fe(III), demonstrate that there are close links between the microbial sulfur, iron, and uranium cycles in anaerobic marine sediments.

Marine Geology↗