title: Elevated Concentrations of U and Co-occurring Metals in Abandoned Mine Wastes in a Northeastern Arizona Native American Community.
abstract: The chemical interactions of U and co-occurring metals in abandoned mine wastes in a Native American community in northeastern Arizona were investigated using spectroscopy, microscopy and aqueous chemistry. The concentrations of U (67-169 μg L(-1)) in spring water samples exceed the EPA maximum contaminant limit of 30 μg L(-1). Elevated U (6,614 mg kg(-1)), V (15,814 mg kg(-1)), and As (40 mg kg(-1)) concentrations were detected in mine waste solids. Spectroscopy (XPS and XANES) solid analyses identified U (VI), As (-I and III) and Fe (II, III). Linear correlations for the release of U vs V and As vs Fe were observed for batch experiments when reacting mine waste solids with 10 mM ascorbic acid (∼pH 3.8) after 264 h. The release of U, V, As, and Fe was at least 4-fold lower after reaction with 10 mM bicarbonate (∼pH 8.3). These results suggest that U-V mineral phases similar to carnotite [K2(UO2)2V2O8] and As-Fe-bearing phases control the availability of U and As in these abandoned mine wastes. Elevated concentrations of metals are of concern due to human exposure pathways and exposure of livestock currently ingesting water in the area. This study contributes to understanding the occurrence and mobility of metals in communities located close to abandoned mine waste sites.
authors.affiliation: †Department of Chemistry, MSC03 2060, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States.
authors.forename: Johanna M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Blake
authors.affiliation: ‡Department of Civil Engineering, MSC01 1070, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States.
authors.forename: Sumant
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Avasarala
authors.affiliation: §Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, MSC01 1120, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States.
authors.forename: Kateryna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Artyushkova
authors.affiliation: ∥Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States.
authors.forename: Abdul-Mehdi S
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: ∥Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States.
authors.forename: Adrian J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Brearley
authors.affiliation: ⊥Southwest Research and Information Center, P.O. Box 4524, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87196, United States.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shuey
authors.affiliation: ⊥Southwest Research and Information Center, P.O. Box 4524, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87196, United States.
authors.forename: Wm Paul
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.affiliation: #Tachee Uranium Concerns Committee, Blue Gap, Arizona 86520, United States.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nez
authors.affiliation: #Tachee Uranium Concerns Committee, Blue Gap, Arizona 86520, United States.
authors.forename: Sadie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bill
authors.affiliation: ∇Community Environmental Health Program, MSC09 5360, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States.
authors.forename: Johnnye
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: ○Central New Mexico Community College, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, United States.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hirani
authors.affiliation: ◆Department of Environmental Earth System Science, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States.
authors.forename: Juan S Lezama
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Pacheco
authors.affiliation: ‡Department of Civil Engineering, MSC01 1070, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States.
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cerrato
mesh_terms: D001130:Arizona; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D008906:Mining; D056951:Photoelectron Spectroscopy; D062611:Solid Waste; D014501:Uranium / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D014639:Vanadium / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D056928:X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste; D008670:Metals; D062611:Solid Waste; D014639:Vanadium; D014501:Uranium; D007501:Iron; D001205:Ascorbic Acid