Research on radon exhalation characteristics of uranium tailings with cover materials under the coupling load of low-frequency vibration and seepage gradient

Cai, Ziqi; Zhang, Qingmin; Li, Xiangyang; Lei, Bo; Hong, Changshou; Shao, Zhuang

doi:10.1007/s10967-020-07478-x

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Regarding the effect of different types of covering materials − and related physical properties such as thickness, − density, compaction, , moisture content, , porosity, , particle size fractal, , and permeability on anomalous radon exhalation from the beach surface of uranium mill tailing impoundments, Tan et al studied the effectiveness of different coverings in reducing radon exhalation from uranium mill tailings and found that red soil had the best radon reduction effect. Regarding the effect of internal and external forces − on anomalous radon exhalation from the beach surface of uranium mill tailing impoundments, Li et al analyzed and demonstrated the possibility of hydraulic erosion, wind erosion, and freeze–thaw erosion on the covering layer of a decommissioned uranium mill tailing impoundment. In the case of multilayer covering, the beach surface cover system of uranium mill tailing impoundments typically includes a soil-vegetation layer, a sand-gravel drainage layer, and a compacted clay layer from the top to the bottom. − This system not only effectively reduces the radon exhalation rate but also enhances the erosion resistance and impermeability.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Study on the Effect of Wetting–Drying Cycles on Crack Development and Radon Retardation of the Covering Soil in Uranium Mill Tailing Impoundments

Zhang,

Hong,

et al. 2024

ACS Omega

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The majority of uranium mill tailing impoundments in the southern part of China are located in humid subtropical regions where persistent rainfall and rapid evaporation of water after rain often occur. Under the prolonged influence of alternating wet and dry conditions, the covering soil layer of uranium mill tailing impoundments develops cracks, leading to the issue of degradation or even failure of the radon retardation effect. A beach surface of uranium mill tailing impoundments in the southern part of China is selected as the research object. Through use of a selfmade simulation test device, a degradation experiment of uranium mill tailing covering soil models under wetting−drying cycles was conducted indoors. The experimental results indicate that with a constant amplitude of wetting−drying cycles, microcracks characterized by a narrow width and high abundance were mainly generated in the early-to-mid-stage of wetting−drying cycles. The main cracks, characterized by their wide width and less abundance, were mainly formed in the mid-to-late stage of wetting−drying cycles. After seven wetting−drying cycles, the total length of cracks showed a "stair-step" increase and the surface crack ratio exhibited a trend of moving from rapid growth to stable growth and then to a slight decline. The cumulative damage degree showed a rapid increase to stable growth with an increase in the number of wetting−drying cycles. Grey relational analysis revealed that, compared to other surface crack indicators, radon exhalation rate was the most closely correlated with the surface crack ratio. With a constant amplitude of wetting−drying cycles, the radon exhalation rate underwent four stages as the number of wetting−drying cycles increased: stage I witnessed a rapid increase, stage II witnessed a rapid decrease, stage III witnessed a gradual increase, and stage IV witnessed a stable or even slight decrease. With a constant number of wetting−drying cycles, the radon exhalation rate correspondingly increased with the amplitude of wetting−drying cycles, particularly noticeable when the alternation amplitude was 30 ± 20%. From the early mid-stage to the late stage of wetting−drying cycles, the curves of the radon exhalation rate, surface crack ratio, and cumulative damage degree tended to be consistent, showing a gradual increase. The research provided in this study offers valuable insights into radon control measures and environmental assessments on the beach surface of uranium mill tailing impoundments.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Study on the Effect of Wetting–Drying Cycles on Crack Development and Radon Retardation of the Covering Soil in Uranium Mill Tailing Impoundments

Zhang,

Hong,

et al. 2024

ACS Omega

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“…Many studies on the overburden layer of UMTs ponds have been conducted up till now [5][6][7][8]. Moreover, there are many researchers who have considered the in uence of external environmental factors on radon exhalation from UMTs pond [9][10][11]. All of them aim to nd the optimum UMT treatment project by considering various factors as much as possible.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Study on Unsteady Radon Exhalation from the Overburden Layer of the Uranium Mill Tailings Pond under Rainfall

Wang

et al. 2022

Science and Technology of Nuclear Installations

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In order to find out radon reduction performance of the overburden layer on uranium mill tailings (UMTs) pond beach surface after rainfall, the rainfall simulation experiment of the overburden layer was carried out with the self-developed equipment. Based on the radon migration model of the overburden layer on the UMTs pond beach surface, the change rule of radon exhalation in four types of compactness of the overburden layer within 120 hours after rainfall was studied, and the corresponding moisture content was also analyzed. The results show that the radon concentration in the overburden layer of UMTs increases nonlinearly; the dynamic change in moisture content of the overburden layer on the beach surface leads to the unsteady radon exhalation. The variation of radon exhalation shows three stages: increase, linear decrease, and stability tendency. After rainfall, radon exhalation rate increases due to water vapor and there is free radon seepage in pores. With the decrease of free radon production rate, radon exhalation rate gradually decreases until it reaches stability again. When the thickness of the overburden layer reduces, the porosity decreases with the increase in compactness of the overburden layer. While the decrease in radon reduction is more obvious, the less time it takes for radon exhalation to vary from unstable to stable overburden after rainfall.

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Radon transport carried by geogas: prediction model

Chen

Liu

Jiang

et al. 2023

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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Research on radon exhalation characteristics of uranium tailings with cover materials under the coupling load of low-frequency vibration and seepage gradient

Cited by 6 publications

References 22 publications

Experimental Study on the Effect of Wetting–Drying Cycles on Crack Development and Radon Retardation of the Covering Soil in Uranium Mill Tailing Impoundments

Experimental Study on the Effect of Wetting–Drying Cycles on Crack Development and Radon Retardation of the Covering Soil in Uranium Mill Tailing Impoundments

Experimental Study on Unsteady Radon Exhalation from the Overburden Layer of the Uranium Mill Tailings Pond under Rainfall

Radon transport carried by geogas: prediction model

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