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Control of Ground Water Contamination at an Active Uranium Mill
Author(s) -
White Richard B.,
Gainer Randolph B.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
groundwater monitoring and remediation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1745-6592
pISSN - 1069-3629
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-6592.1985.tb00926.x
Subject(s) - groundwater , aquifer , contamination , environmental science , uranium , water quality , water well , tailings , mining engineering , hydrology (agriculture) , environmental engineering , geology , geotechnical engineering , ecology , materials science , metallurgy , biology
Seepage from tailings ponds associated with an active uranium mill in Utah has resulted in contamination of ground water contained in the Dakota‐Burro Canyon Formation. This aquifer is used in the area as a supply for domestic and industrial wells. Results of very low‐frequency electromagnetic surveys and ground water quality investigations at the site indicated that the flow of ground water and contaminants is primarily fracture‐controlled. Pumping tests were conducted to determine the hydraulic characteristics of the fractured system. The extent of contaminant migration was then determined using an analytical model of transport in fractured aquifers. Based on these investigations, a plan was designed to control future and remediate past ground water contamination. This plan consists of pumping from a single well intersecting the main fracture that transports contaminants off the site. The effectiveness of the plan was analytically modeled, taking account of the anisotropy of the ground water system. Subsequent monitoring of water levels in the area indicates that the plan has been effective since its inception in November 1983.