The rum Jungle tailings dam - chemical profile of the subsoil

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
1987-09
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
Abstract
In a survey of soils below the Rum Jungle uranium mine tailings dam parameters measured were pH moisture content particle distribution total Cu water-extractable Cu, Ca and SO4 and acid-extractable Ra. The cation profile had a marked discontinuity at the soil/tailings interface. This was attributed to a complex hydrogeology and to the presence of a reduction zone in the soil immediately below the tailings. The tailings acted as an aquaclude to a water table which fluctuated with the monsoonal season. The reduction zone acted as a cation trap preventing cation transport. The radium concentration dropped to levels acceptable to public health within a few centimetres of the soil/tailings interface.
Description
Keywords
Rum Jungle Mine, Uranium mines, Tailings, Soils, Radium
Citation
Lowson, R. T., Evans, J. V., Sarbutt, J. V., Sinclair, G., & Folk. E. (1987). The rum jungle tailings dam : chemical profile of the subsoil. Lucas Heights, N.S.W.: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights Research Laboratories.