Simulation of the natural attenuation of groundwater contaminated by acid in situ leaching at a uranium mine

This study focuses on the simulation of the natural attenuation of groundwater contaminated by acid-leached uranium at a decommissioned uranium mining site. Although natural attenuation by mixing and dilution, pH buffering, adsorption, and reduction has been well described, little research on the si...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry 2024-10, Vol.333 (10), p.4907-4917
Main Authors: Li, Chunguang, Liu, Qi, Liu, Longcheng, Li, Yongmei, Zhao, Xuerui, Liu, Zhenzhong
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adsorption
Aquifers
Attenuation
Chemical composition
Chemical equilibrium
Chemical reactions
Chemical reduction
Chemistry
Chemistry and Materials Science
Diagnostic Radiology
Dilution
Groundwater
Hadrons
Heavy Ions
In situ leaching
Inorganic Chemistry
Nuclear Chemistry
Nuclear Physics
Parameter modification
Physical Chemistry
Sandstone
Sulfuric acid
Uranium
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Summary:This study focuses on the simulation of the natural attenuation of groundwater contaminated by acid-leached uranium at a decommissioned uranium mining site. Although natural attenuation by mixing and dilution, pH buffering, adsorption, and reduction has been well described, little research on the simulation of the natural attenuation of groundwater U 6+ and sulfuric acid in sandstone aquifers after mining has been performed. Using PHREEQC Version 3 software and the minteq.v4.dat database, in this paper, the thermodynamic adsorption equilibrium constants and adsorption site parameters were modified based on the experimental results of the mineral composition, chemical reactions, U 6+ adsorption, and SO 4 2− reduction reactions. This study provides a basis for establishing detailed environmental background data files, conducting laboratory experiments, and predicting the natural attenuation capability of sandstone aquifers at uranium mining sites and their surrounding areas.
ISSN:0236-5731
1588-2780
DOI:10.1007/s10967-024-09624-1