Long-Term Encapsulation of Uranium Mill Tailings

摘要

Radioactive and non-radioactive hazardous materials in uranium mill tailings have their originrnin the natural state from which the uranium is mined. These materials having been concentrated posernsignificant environmental risks if released. The service life ofgeomembranes and other engineeredrnmaterials are affected by time-dependent deterioration processes far sooner than long half-life and highrnionization potentials of certain naturally occurring radionuclides. Cost effective treatment and disposalrntechniques are reviewed that immobilize these hazardous materials. Tailings treatments are consideredrnthat produce a waste form that is protected from dissolution and mobilization for long time periods.