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Application of Sphagnum Peat, Calcium Carbonate, and Hydrated Lime for Immobilizing Uranium Tailings Leachate

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2011

P. A. Longmire ,
D. G. Brookins ,
B. M. Thomson  and
P. G. Eller
P. A. Longmire
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131;
D. G. Brookins
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131;
B. M. Thomson
Affiliation:
Department of Civil Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131;
P. G. Eller
Affiliation:
Los Alamos National Laboratory, INC-4 Group, MS 346, Los Alamos, NM 87545.
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Abstract

Batch experiments, mineralogical studies, and geochemical modeling were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of sphagnum peat, calcium carbonate, and hydrated lime in removing dissolved concentrations of As, Mo, NO3, and U present in uranium-tailings pore water at Gunnison, Colorado. Amounts of As, Mo, and U removal by sphagnum peat, calcium carbonate, and hydrated lime at 5.0, 2.5, and 2.5 wt.%, respectively, were typically above 97 %. Nitrate removal ranged between 55 and 80 %. Significant contaminant removal was achieved by sphagnum peat alone at pH 3.18. Addition of 2.5 wt.% calcium carbonate to the sphagnum peat-tailings system resulted in formation of soluble uranyl carbonato complexes, which decreased the amount of U(VI) fixed onto sphagnum peat by a factor of 2. Addition of 2.5 wt.% hydrated lime to the acidic tailings increased Mo concentrations by a factor of 2 under moderately alkaline conditions (pH 12). During neutralization of tailings-pore water, precipitation of ferric oxyhydroxides may provide additional removal of As, Mo, and U(VI) from solution through adsorption and coprecipitation processes.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 212: Symposium P – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XIV , 1990 , 623
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1991

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References

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