A numerical model for the prediction of radon flux from uranium mill tailings at Jaduguda, India

Solid process fine waste or tailings of a uranium mill is a potential source of release of radiologically significant gaseous radon ( 222 Rn). A number of variables such as radium ( 226 Ra) content, porosity, moisture content, and tailings density can affect the extent of emanation from the tailings. Further, if a cover material is used for remediation purposes, additional challenges due to changes in the matrix characteristics in predicting the radon flux can be anticipated. The uranium mill tailings impoundment systems at Jaduguda have been in use for the long-term storage of fine process waste (tailings). A pilot-scale remediation exercise of one of the tailings ponds has been undertaken with 30 cm soil as a cover material. For the prediction of the radon flux, a numerical model has been developed to account for the radon exhalation process at the remediated site. The model can effectively be used to accommodate both the continuous and discrete variable inputs. Depth profiling and physicochemical characterization for the remediated site have been done for the required input variables of the proposed numerical model. The predicted flux worked out is well below the reference level of 0.74 Bq m −2 s −1 IAEA (2004).