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Modelling Study on Uranium Migration in Rocks Under Weathering Condition

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2011

Toshihiko Ohnuki,
Takashi Murakami,
Hiroshi Isobe,
Tsutomu Sato and
Nobuyuki Yanase
Toshihiko Ohnuki
Affiliation:
Dept. of Environmental Safety Research, JAERI, Tokai, Ibaraki, Japan,
Takashi Murakami
Affiliation:
Dept. of Earth Sciences, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
Hiroshi Isobe
Affiliation:
Dept. of Environmental Safety Research, JAERI, Tokai, Ibaraki, Japan,
Tsutomu Sato
Affiliation:
Dept. of Environmental Safety Research, JAERI, Tokai, Ibaraki, Japan,
Nobuyuki Yanase
Affiliation:
Dept. of Environmental Safety Research, JAERI, Tokai, Ibaraki, Japan,
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Abstract

A modelling study has been completed to understand the effect of rock alteration on uranium migration at the Koongarra ore deposit, Australia. The model considers the weathering process, the mechanism and rate of chlorite alteration, a major mineral of the host rock, and assumes the presence of reversible sorption sites of chlorite and the presence of reversible and irreversible sorption sites of the weathering products. One- and two-dimensional, calculated uranium concentrations were compared with those observed. Good agreement between the calculated and observed uranium concentration profiles was obtained only when an appropriate fraction of uranium is fixed to the irreversible sorption sites of Fe-minerals produced during weathering of chlorite. On the other hand, the conventional Kd model failed to estimate an adequate uranium concentration profile. The results suggest that the fixation of uranium to Fe-minerals has dominated the migration of uranium in the vicinity of the Koongarra ore deposit.

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References

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