Evolution of pH, organic matter and (226)radium/calcium partitioning in U-mining debris following revegetation with pine trees

The Science of the Total Environment
Yves Thiry, May Van Hees

Abstract

Natural attenuation processes resulting from the afforestation of some U-waste rock piles have the potential to limit the linkage of radioelements and other trace pollutants, thereby minimizing exposure risks. We determined the evolution of pH and organic matter and compared the (226)Ra and Ca extractability in pyrite-containing mining debris which was revegetated 35 years ago with Scots pine. Oxidation of sulphidic minerals remaining in the substrate appeared to dominate over acidification processes due to vegetation inputs and litter decomposition. The accumulation of organic matter in forest floor had a negligible effect on the (226)Ra upward recycling compared to the migration losses observed mainly from decarbonatation of the surface mining debris. (226)Ra was overall less soluble than Ca in the soil profile but NH(4)Ac-pH 5 had the capacity to extract a (226)Ra fraction of 31.1-41.5%, i.e. at least twice as much as for Ca. In deeper layers, a majority of both Ca and (226)Ra were extractable from the same non-specific adsorption pool, which mainly involved carbonate. In the upper acidified layer, the incorporation of organic matter had no effect on (226)Ra extractability. A further specific adsorption pool for (226)Ra was ...Continue Reading

References

Oct 10, 2002·Journal of Environmental Quality·M E Winter Sydnor, E F Redente
Apr 23, 2003·Environment International·I D Pulford, C Watson
Sep 10, 2003·Environmental Pollution·Pierre DelmelleBruno Delvaux
Mar 30, 2005·Journal of Environmental Radioactivity·Yves ThiryHildegarde Vandenhove
Mar 30, 2005·Journal of Environmental Radioactivity·H VandenhoveM Van Hees

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Citations

Dec 31, 2014·Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology·Mohammad NassourE Gert Dudel
Oct 28, 2011·Journal of Environmental Quality·M W ClarkL Fergusson
Nov 7, 2020·The Science of the Total Environment·Frédéric GiraultJean-François Didon-Lescot

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