Radon exhalation from uranium mill tailings: experimental validation of a 1-D model.
TRACI, a model based on the physical mechanisms governing the migration of radon in unsaturated soils, has been developed to evaluate the radon flux density at the surface of uranium mill tailings. To check the validity of the TRACI model and the effectiveness of cover layers, an in situ study was launched in 1997 with the French uranium mining company, COGEMA. The study consisted of continuous measurements of moisture content, suction, radon concentration at various depths inside a UMT cover, and flux density at its surface. An initial analysis has shown that radon concentration and flux density, as calculated with a steady-state diffusion model using monthly averaged moisture contents, are in good agreement with measured monthly averaged concentrations and flux densities.
Ferry
C
C
Département de Protection de l'Environnement, Institut de Protection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, 60-68, avenue de la Division Leclerc, BP 6 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France. cecile.ferry@ipsn.fr
Richon
P
P
Beneito
A
A
Robé
M C
MC
D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008345:Manganese / Q000737:chemistry; D008906:Mining; D008956:Models, Chemical; D011848:Radioactive Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D011886:Radon / Q000032:analysis*; D012492:Salts / Q000737:chemistry; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013696:Temperature; D014501:Uranium
D011848:Radioactive Pollutants; D012492:Salts; D008345:Manganese; D014501:Uranium; D011886:Radon