title: Computational modelling of final covers for uranium mill tailings impoundments.
abstract: To properly design a final cover for uranium mill tailings impoundments the designer must attempt to find an effective geotechnical solution which addresses the radiological and non-radiological potential impact and prevents geochemical processes from occurring within the tailings. This paper presents a computer-based method for evaluating the performance of engineered final covers for the remediation of uranium mill tailings impoundments. Three hypothetical final covers were taken from scientific literature to investigate the proposed method: (i) a compacted clay liner (CCL); (ii) a composite liner (CL) and (iii) a capillary barrier (CB). The processes investigated: (i) the saturated hydraulic flux; (ii) the unsaturated hydraulic flux (exclusively for the capillary barrier) and (iii) the radon exhalation to the atmosphere. The computer programs utilised for the analyses are: (i) Hydrologic Evaluation of Landfill Performance (HELP); (ii) SEEP/W and (iii) RADON. The site considered for the development of the research presented herein was the uranium mill tailings impoundment located at the Brazilian city of Poços de Caldas, in the Minas Gerais State.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, COPPE-Graduate School of Engineering, Civil Engineering Program, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Guilherme Luís Menegassi
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Leoni
authors.forename: Márcio de Souza Soares
authors.initials: Mde S
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: Horst Monken
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Fernandes
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D004867:Equipment Design; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007700:Kinetics; D008956:Models, Chemical; D011886:Radon / Q000032:analysis; D012987:Soil; D014501:Uranium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste; D012987:Soil; D014501:Uranium; D011886:Radon