RESUMO: Este trabalho investiga um ambiente caracterizado por depósitos de urânio usando assinaturas isotópicas de Pb. A área de estudo apresenta escassez de água superficial, sendo assim, a água subterrânea adquire importância, não só, para o desenvolvimento econômico referente à exploração de urânio, mas, sobretudo, para a sobrevivência e fixação da população local. O objetivo da investigação é a caracterização das assinaturas de Pb em águas subterrâneas e sedimentos, bem como a identificação de ambientes com influências de fontes geogênicas e/ou antropogênicas. Em relação aos sedimentos, verificaram-se que suas assinaturas sofreram influência das fontes geogênicas presentes no contexto geológico e, que o enriquecimento antrópico em urânio foi restrito a um único ponto de amostragem na área da mina. Embora dados na literatura, relativos a estudos ambientais, consideram valores de razões 206Pb/207Pb ≤ 1,20 como indicativo de Pb antropogênico, foi determinado para a maioria das águas subterrâneas razões 206Pb/207Pb entre 1,14 e 1,19, sendo similares aos dados reportados para as rochas (1,09 a 1,96) na área mineralizada em U.

ABSTRACT: This work presents the investigation in an environment that contains uranium deposits by using Pb isotope signatures. The study area, southeast of Brazil, is characterized by the lack of surface water and, as a consequence, the groundwater plays an important role in the economy of the region, such as the supply to the uranium industry and, above all serving the needs of the local population. The objective of the present investigation is the determination of the signatures of Pb in groundwater and sediments as well as the identification of environments under influences of geogenic and/or anthropogenic sources. It was determined that the Pb in the majority of sediments was geogenic in origin. Although data from the literature, related to the environmental studies, consider 206Pb/207Pb isotopic ratio values below or close to 1.2 as an indicative of anthropogenic Pb, the 206Pb/ 207Pb determined for the majority of groundwater samples ranged from 1.14 to 1.19, and are similar to the data reported for rocks samples (1.09 to 1.96) from area with U mineralization. It was also determined that the anthropogenic influence of the uranium was restricted to a single sampling point within the mining area.

Abstract The preferred option for disposal of short-lived low and intermediate level radioactive wastes is a near surface disposal facility in which soil is one of the barriers that avoid radionuclide migration outside the controlled area. For construction of that kind of facility, concrete is widely used, and its interaction with water induces its degradation, resulting in a high pH solution. The alkaline solution may affect the near-field environment of radioactive waste repositories, including the soil, promoting mineralogical alterations that result in significant changes in key properties of materials, compromising their performance as safety components. In this study, a sample of a Brazilian Typic Rhodudult soil, previously investigated concerning its performance for Cs sorption, was subjected to interaction with the alkaline solution for 24 h and for 7, 14, and 28 days in order to evaluate the impact on its chemical, mineralogical, and sorption properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron microprobe analysis were performed before and after each alteration period. Results indicated dissolution of minerals, such as kaolinite and quartz, associated with incorporation of K and Ca from the alkaline solution, likely resulting in the formation of hydrated calcium silicate phases (CSH), which are expected to be worse sorbents for alkaline elements (e.g., Cs) than the original minerals. The Kd values for Cs in the altered samples also decreased according to the alteration period, demonstrating that alkaline interaction effectively modifies the soil sorption properties for Cs.

A drenagem ácida na mina de urânio de Caldas (MG) ocorre há mais de 20 anos, apresenta pH próximo de 3,0 e contém elementos metálicos e não-metálicos. Para o tratamento do descarte desse efluente, utiliza-se de cal para elevação do pH e precipitação dos contaminantes, gerando uma lama que é disposta na cava da mina, inundada de água ácida. O presente estudo consiste na caracterização de três amostras (Lama Antiga, Lama da Cava e Lama Fresca), utilizando análise térmica TGA/DTA, microssonda eletrônica e classificação de acordo com as normas NBR 10005 e NBR 10006. A caracterização enfocou a determinação das fases morfológicas e a composição elementar, para correlacioná-las com a capacidade de migração dos contaminantes. A etringita, a calcita e o gipso foram as fases identificadas como majoritárias. As lamas foram classificadas como não perigosas, mas não inertes. Estudos sobre a biodisponibilidade do urânio mostrou que este é facilmente solubilizado, pois a maior parte desse metal se encontra na fração lábil. A caracterização radiológica mostrou que todas as amostras apresentam valores abaixo do limite de isenção, de acordo com a Posição Regulatória PR-3.01/001 da Norma CNEN-NN-3.01.

Acid mine drainage in the uranium mine at the Caldas Municipality (MG) has been occuring for over 20 years. This drainage has a pH of around 3.0 and contains metals and non-metals. The current acid water treatment uses lime to increase the pH and precipitates the contaminants before discharging the water into the environment. This procedure generates a sludge that is currently disposed into the mine pit which is flooded with acidic water. The present study aims at the characterization of 3 different samples, identified as Lama Antiga (old sludge), Lama da Cava (pit sludge) and Lama Fresca (fresh sludge), by using the TGA/DTA, electron microprobe, standard classification procedures NBR 10005 and NBR 10006. The characterization focused on determining the morphological phases and elemental composition in order to correlate them with the migration of contaminants. Ettringite, calcite and gypsum were identified as the majority phases. The sludges were classified as non-hazardous, but not inert. Studies on the uranium bioavailability showed that it is easily dissolved as most of this metal is present in the labile fraction. The radiological characterization showed that all samples are below the clearance value, according to PR-3.01/001.

Esse trabalho visou à caracterização de resíduos e efluentes da indústria galvânica a fim de identificar os elementos que conferem periculosidade aos resíduos, assim como a classificação destes em perigosos (classe I) ou não perigosos (classe II). A caracterização das amostras mostrou que o Fe e o Zn são os elementos predominantes nas amostras, mas existem outros elementos (Ni, Cd, Al, Mn, Cu, F, Cr, Ca) como minoritários ou traços. A classificação dos resíduos, feita com base na Norma ABNT NBR10004/2004, mostrou que o Cd e o Cr são os contaminantes responsáveis pelo enquadramento destes como perigosos. As lamas de fosfatização não apresentam características de periculosidade apesar de, a priori, serem consideradas como tal. Com base neste estudo, foi possível apresentar um cenário do setor de galvanoplastia de forma a orientar as empresas quanto a necessidade de eliminação ou redução dos níveis de contaminantes de forma a reclassificar seus resíduos como não perigosos.

The work aimed at the characterization of wastes and liquid effluents from galvanizing industry in order to identify the main elements responsible for their toxicity and the classification of the residues as hazardous or non hazardous. The characterization of the samples showed that Zn and Fe are the predominant elements. However, elements like Ni, Cd, Al, Mn, Cu, F, Cr and Ca are present as minority or as trace constituents. According to the standard procedure (Norma ABNT NBR10004/2004) the elements Cd and Cr are the main constituents responsible for the classification of the residues as hazardous. The residues that are generated in the phosphatization process may be considered as non hazardous in spite of being a priori considered as hazardous. Based on the results, it was possible to present an overall view of the galvanizing industry residues. Data can be useful as a guide to help the industry to propose alternatives to eliminate or decrease the levels of contaminants in order to classify them as non hazardous wastes.