Mitigation of Uranium Mining Impacts—A Review on Groundwater Remediation Technologies

Abstract

Groundwater contamination is one of the most concerning issues from uranium mining activities. Radionuclides cannot be destroyed or degraded, unlike some organic contaminants (and similar to metals). Besides, sites, where radionuclides may be found, are mainly radioactive and mixed waste disposal areas, and therefore many other contaminants may also be present in groundwater. The state-of-the-art of environmental technology is continually changing, and thus a review on technologies application is of utmost relevance. This work gives an overview of the available remediation technologies for groundwater contaminated with radionuclides resulting mainly from uranium mining. For each technology, a theoretical background is provided; the state of development, limitations, efficiency, and potential adverse effects are also approached. Examples of application and performance monitoring of remediation progress are described, and criteria for the selection of the appropriate remediation technology are given. The most effective remediation technology will always be site-specific as a result of the multitude of geographic and operational factors that influence the effluent quality and impact the technical feasibility of treatment methods. Ion exchange, chemical precipitation, and membrane filtration have been considered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) as best demonstrated available technologies for radium and uranium removal. Several factors have been demonstrated to influence the selection of a remediation technology (technological aspects and non-technical factors), but even for the technologies demonstrated or industrial proven, two important challenges remain; the (still) mobile radionuclides and the generation of secondary wastes. Besides, remediation technologies are constantly evolving, but future advancement depends on rigorously monitored, documented efficiency, and results achieved. Therefore, the technologies approached in this paper are by no means exhaustive.

Critical review on uranium and arsenic content and their chemical mobilization in groundwater: A case study of the Malwa region Punjab, India

“…Hence, in the past and recent research databases, we found a range of technologies (from conventional to advanced) available to treat arsenic/uranium-rich groundwater (Gandhi et al, 2022;Yadav et al, 2022). These technologies are based on various processes, such as ion exchange, membrane filtration, electrocoagulation, photocatalysis, adsorptions, co-precipitation and biological methods (Dinis and Fiúza, 2021).…”

Development of the Groundwater Monitoring System in the Zone of Influence of Uranium Production Legacy Facilities of the Prydniprovsky Chemical Plant

“…Урановидобувні і переробні підприємства, споруджені на «світанку» ядерної ери в кінці 1940 -1950-х роках минулого століття, у багатьох випадках перетворилися на серйозні джерела радіоактивного і хімічного забруднення оточуючого гідрогеологічного середовища (Hu et al, 2010;NEA…, 2014;Romanchuk et al, 2020;Dinis, Fiúza, 2021), оскільки в той час бракувало практичного досвіду і часто була відсутня нормативна база для належного захисту людини і оточуючого середовища від небезпечних впливів радіоактивних компонентів і супутніх хімічних токсикантів, що властиві зазначеним об'єктам. До подібних радіаційно та екологічно небезпечних об'єктів належить колишнє виробниче об'єднання «Придніпровський хімічний завод» (ПХЗ), розташоване у промисловому передмісті м. Кам'янське (колишній Дніпродзержинськ) Дніпропетровської області.…”

Authigenic Mineral Formation in Aquifers near the Uranium Sludge Storage Facility of Chepetsky Mechanical Plant during the Formation of a Biogeochemical Barrier in a Laboratory and Field Experiment

“…However, implementing this method is a complex and expensive process. Moreover, its effectiveness depends on the hydrodynamic and geological parameters of the formation [14,15]. Reactive barriers are the most effective and least resource-consuming solution [16].…”