| Records |
| Author |
Petisco-Ferrero, S.; Idoeta, R.; Rozas, S.; Olondo, C.; Herranz, M. |
| Title |
Radiological environmental monitoring of groundwater around NPP: A proposal for its assessment |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2023 |
Publication |
Heliyon |
Abbreviated Journal |
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| Volume |
9 |
Issue |
9 |
Pages |
19470 |
| Keywords |
Detection limit, Nuclear power plant dismantling and decommissioning, Radiological environmental monitoring, Radionuclides in groundwater |
| Abstract |
Whether a nuclear installation has radiological impact and, in that case, its extension, are the questions behind any environmental analysis of the installation along its operational life. This analysis is based on the detailed establishment of the radiological background of the area. Accordingly, the dismantling and decommissioning process (D&D) of a nuclear power plant starts with a radiological monitoring plan, which includes the radiological characterization of the area and of its surroundings. At the completion of the D&D, unrestricted use for the site will be permitted strictly in accordance with results of the radiological survey within the limits established by the local authorities. Groundwater quality is typically included in any radiological analysis since, among other reasons, a significant part of it is highly likely to end up being extracted for domestic use and hence, human consumption. While there is no regulation containing maximum activity concentration or radionuclide guidance values for water that may be destined for uses other than public consumption, if groundwater is considered a “part” of the land, dose criteria for site release can be applied. Therefore, together with the guidance levels to be established for the different radionuclides expected in the groundwater, the detection limits to be employed when performing routine radio analytical characterization procedures in the laboratory should also be provided. In this paper, we first propose a relation of the potential radionuclides to be analyzed in groundwater, together with their detection limits to be achieved when the determinations are performed in a laboratory, and subsequently, we discuss the most suitable analytical methodologies and resources that would be necessary to undertake radiological characterization plans from a practical point of view. |
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2405-8440 |
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THL @ christoph.kuells @ petisco-ferrero_radiological_2023 |
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133 |
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| Author |
Alexander, A.C.; Ndambuki, J.M. |
| Title |
Impact of mine closure on groundwater resource: Experience from Westrand Basin-South Africa |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2023 |
Publication |
Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C |
Abbreviated Journal |
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| Volume |
131 |
Issue |
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Pages |
103432 |
| Keywords |
Acid mine drainage, Groundwater quality, Mine closure, Spatio-temporal variation, Westrand Basin |
| Abstract |
The mining sector is at the edge of expanding to cater for natural resources that are much needed for technological development and manufacturing. Mushrooming of mines will consequently increase the number of mines closure. Moreover, mines closure have adverse impact on the environment at large and specifically on water resources. This study analyses historical groundwater quality parameters in mine intensive basin of Westrand Basin (WRB) to understand the status of groundwater quality in relation to mining activities and mine closure. Geographic information system (GIS) was used to map the spatio-temporal variation of groundwater quality in the basin and groundwater quality index (GQI) to evaluate its status. The coefficient of variation (CV) was applied to understand the stability of groundwater quality after the mine closure. Results indicated unstable and altered trend with increasing levels of acidity and salts concentration around the mines vicinity following the mine closure. The resultant maps indicated a significant deterioration of groundwater quality around the WRB with concentrations decreasing downstream. Obtained average GQI for the study period of 1996–2015 suggested a moderate groundwater quality at a range of GQI = 64–73. The CV indicated varying water quality at CV \textgreater 30% suggesting presence of source of contamination. Observed groundwater quality trends in Westrand basin suggested that mines closure present potential threat on groundwater quality and thus, a need for a robust mine closure plan and implementation. |
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1474-7065 |
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THL @ christoph.kuells @ alexander_impact_2023 |
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134 |
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Paradis, C.J.; Hoss, K.N.; Meurer, C.E.; Hatami, J.L.; Dangelmayr, M.A.; Tigar, A.D.; Johnson, R.H. |
| Title |
Elucidating mobilization mechanisms of uranium during recharge of river water to contaminated groundwater |
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Journal Article |
| Year |
2022 |
Publication |
Journal of Contaminant Hydrology |
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| Volume |
251 |
Issue |
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Pages |
104076 |
| Keywords |
Desorption, Dissolution, Groundwater, Surface water, Tracer, Uranium |
| Abstract |
The recharge of stream water below the baseflow water table can mobilize groundwater contaminants, particularly redox-sensitive and sorptive metals such as uranium. However, in-situ tracer experiments that simulate the recharge of stream water to uranium-contaminated groundwater are lacking, thus limiting the understanding of the potential mechanisms that control the mobility of uranium at the field scale. In this study, a field tracer test was conducted by injecting 100 gal (379 l) of oxic river water into a nearby suboxic and uranium-contaminated aquifer. The traced river water was monitored for 18 days in the single injection well and in the twelve surrounding observation wells. Mobilization of uranium from the solid to the aqueous phase was not observed during the tracer test despite its pre-test presence being confirmed on the aquifer sediments from lab-based acid leaching. However, strong evidence of oxidative immobilization of iron and manganese was observed during the tracer test and suggested that immobile uranium was likely in its oxidized state as U(VI) on the aquifer sediments; these observations ruled out oxidation of U(IV) to U(VI) as a potential mobilization mechanism. Therefore, desorption of U(VI) appeared to be the predominant potential mobilization mechanism, yet it was clearly not solely dependent on concentration as evident when considering that uranium-poor river water (\textless0.015 mg/L) was recharged to uranium-rich groundwater (≈1 mg/L). It was possible that uranium desorption was limited by the relatively higher pH and lower alkalinity of the river water as compared to the groundwater; both factors favor immobilization. However, it was likely that the immobile uranium was associated with a mineral phase, as opposed to a sorbed phase, thus desorption may not have been possible. The results of this field tracer study successfully ruled out two common mobilization mechanisms of uranium: (1) oxidative dissolution and (2) concentration-dependent desorption and ruled in the importance of advection, dispersion, and the mineral phase of uranium. |
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0169-7722 |
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no |
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THL @ christoph.kuells @ paradis_elucidating_2022 |
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135 |
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Orloff, K.G.; Mistry, K.; Charp, P.; Metcalf, S.; Marino, R.; Shelly, T.; Melaro, E.; Donohoe, A.M.; Jones, R.L. |
| Title |
Human exposure to uranium in groundwater |
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Journal Article |
| Year |
2004 |
Publication |
Environmental Research |
Abbreviated Journal |
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| Volume |
94 |
Issue |
3 |
Pages |
319-326 |
| Keywords |
Groundwater, Human exposure, Uranium, Urine |
| Abstract |
High concentrations of uranium (mean=620μg/L) were detected in water samples collected from private wells in a residential community. Based on isotopic analyses, the source of the uranium contamination appeared to be from naturally occurring geological deposits. In homes where well water concentrations of uranium exceeded the drinking water standard, the residents were advised to use an alternate water source for potable purposes. Several months after the residents had stopped drinking the water, urine samples were collected and tested for uranium. Elevated concentrations of uranium (mean=0.40μg/g creatinine) were detected in urine samples, and 85 percent of the urine uranium concentrations exceeded the 95th percentile concentration of a national reference population. Urine uranium concentrations were positively correlated with water uranium concentrations, but not with the participants’ ages or how long they had been drinking the water. Six months later, a second urine sample was collected and tested for uranium. Urine uranium concentrations decreased in most (63 percent) of the people. In those people with the highest initial urine uranium concentrations, the urine levels decreased an average of 78 percent. However, urine uranium concentrations remained elevated (mean=0.27μg/g), and 87 percent of the urine uranium concentrations exceeded the 95th percentile concentration of the reference population. The results of this investigation demonstrated that after long-term ingestion of uranium in drinking water, elevated concentrations of uranium in urine could be detected up to 10 months after exposure had stopped. |
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0013-9351 |
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THL @ christoph.kuells @ orloff_human_2004 |
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136 |
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Gimeno, M.J.; Tullborg, E.-L.; Nilsson, A.-C.; Auqué, L.F.; Nilsson, L. |
| Title |
Hydrogeochemical characterisation of the groundwater in the crystalline basement of Forsmark, the selected area for the geological nuclear repositories in Sweden |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2023 |
Publication |
Journal of Hydrology |
Abbreviated Journal |
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| Volume |
624 |
Issue |
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Pages |
129818 |
| Keywords |
Crystalline bedrock, Deep geological repository, Glacial meltwater intrusion, Groundwater mixing, Hydrogeochemical model, Nuclear waste disposal |
| Abstract |
Numerous groundwater analyses from the crystalline bedrock in the Forsmark area have been performed between 2002 and 2019, together with thorough geological, geophysical, and hydrogeological studies, within the site investigations carried out by the Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company. The groundwater samples have been taken from boreholes down to ≈ 1000 m and the analysis include major- and trace-elements, stable and radiogenic isotopes, gases and microbes. The chemical and isotopic composition of these groundwaters evidences the presence of non-marine brackish to saline groundwaters with very long residence times (many hundreds of thousands of years) and a series of complex mixing events resulting from the recharge of different waters over time: glacial meltwaters, probably from different glaciations of which the latest culminated some 20,000 years ago, and marine waters from the Baltic starting some 7000 years ago. Later, meteoric water and present Baltic Sea water have recharged in different parts of the upper 100 m. These mixing events have also triggered chemical and microbial reactions that have conditioned some of the important groundwater parameters and, together with the structural complexity of the area, they have promoted a heterogeneous distribution of groundwater compositions in the bedrock. Due to these evident differences in chemistry, residence time and origin of the groundwater, several groundwater types were defined in order to facilitate the visualisation and communication. The differentiation (linked to the paleohydrological history of the area) was based on Cl concentration, Cl/Mg ratio (marine component), and δ18O value (glacial component). The work presented in this paper increases the understanding of the groundwater evolution in fractured and compartmentalised aquifers where mixing processes are the most important mechanisms. The model proposed to characterise the present groundwater system of the Forsmark area will also help to predict the future hydrogeochemical behaviour of the groundwater system after the construction of the repositories for the nuclear wastes. |
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0022-1694 |
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THL @ christoph.kuells @ gimeno_hydrogeochemical_2023 |
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137 |
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