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Trace elements and Pb isotopes in soils and sediments impacted by uranium mining.

A Cuvier1, L Pourcelot2, A Probst3

  • 1ECOLAB, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INPT, UPS, Toulouse, France; IRSN/PRP-ENV/SESURE/Laboratoire d'études radioécologiques en milieu continental et marin, BP 1, 13108 Saint Paul Lez Durance Cedex, France.

The Science of the Total Environment
|May 25, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Uranium mining contaminates soil and sediment, but trace element pollution is low, except for barium. Lead isotopes effectively trace the origin and mobility of contaminants in mining-affected environments.

Keywords:
Enrichment factorPb isotopesSequential extractionSoilsTrace ElementsU-mining

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Geochemistry
  • Isotope Geochemistry

Background:

  • Former uranium mining sites pose risks of soil and sediment contamination.
  • High uranium activity areas require assessment of associated trace element pollution and mobility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate trace element contamination (As, Ba, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Sr, V, Zn, REE) downstream of a uranium mine.
  • To assess contaminant mobility and availability using geochemical proxies and sequential extraction.
  • To utilize Pb isotope ratios to identify contaminant sources and radiogenic Pb mobility.

Main Methods:

  • Geochemical proxies (enrichment factor, sequential extraction) were employed.
  • Lead (Pb) isotope ratios were determined in total samples and leachates.
  • Analysis focused on soils and sediments in a high uranium activity area.

Main Results:

  • Uranium contamination was high (EF≫40), while other trace elements showed low to moderate contamination (2
  • Most trace elements were found in mobile fractions, indicating potential availability.
  • Pb isotopic signatures in soils were radiogenic, with evidence of mobile and low-mobile radiogenic Pb inputs from mining.

Conclusions:

  • Trace element contamination, except for barium, is generally low despite high uranium levels.
  • Lead isotopes are effective tracers for identifying the origin and mobility of contaminants in uranium mining impacted environments.
  • Mining activities contribute radiogenic lead to both mobile and immobile soil fractions.