Mineralogical Controls on Aluminum and Magnesium in Uranium Mill Tailings: Key Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada
Gomez, MA; Hendry, MJ; Koshinsky, J; Essilfie-Dughan, J; Paikaray, S; Chen, J
| HERO ID | 1760213 |
|---|---|
| In Press | No |
| Year | 2013 |
| Title | Mineralogical Controls on Aluminum and Magnesium in Uranium Mill Tailings: Key Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Authors | Gomez, MA; Hendry, MJ; Koshinsky, J; Essilfie-Dughan, J; Paikaray, S; Chen, J |
| Journal | Environmental Science & Technology |
| Volume | 47 |
| Issue | 14 |
| Page Numbers | 7883-7891 |
| Abstract | The mineralogy and evolution of Al and Mg in U mill tailings are poorly understood. Elemental analyses (ICP-MS) of both solid and aqueous phases show that precipitation of large masses of secondary Al and Mg mineral phases occurs throughout the raffinate neutralization process (pH 1-11) at the Key Lake U mill, Saskatchewan, Canada. Data from a suite of analytical methods (ICP-MS, EMPA, laboratory- and synchrotron-based XRD, ATR-IR, Raman, TEM, EDX, ED) and equilibrium thermodynamic modeling showed that nanoparticle-sized, spongy, porous, Mg-Al hydrotalcite is the dominant mineralogical control on Al and Mg in the neutralized raffinate (pH ≥ 6.7). The presence of this secondary Mg-Al hydrotalcite in mineral samples of both fresh and 15-year-old tailings indicates that the Mg-Al hydrotalcite is geochemically stable, even after >16 years in the oxic tailings body. Data shows an association between the Mg-Al hydrotalcite and both As and Ni and point to this Mg-Al hydrotalcite exerting a mineralogical control on the solubility of these contaminants. |
| Doi | 10.1021/es400658f |
| Pmid | 23802943 |
| Wosid | WOS:000322059800040 |
| Is Certified Translation | No |
| Dupe Override | No |
| Is Public | Yes |
| Language Text | English |