MICROSCALE VISUALIZATION AND ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF SOLID-PHASE URANIUM GEOCHEMISTRY ON CONTAMINATED SEDIMENTS USING FISSION TRACK TECHNOLOGY

Residual solid-phase uranium (U) from former mill tailings contributes to persistent concentrations of uranium in groundwater. It is hypothesized that the solid-phase uranium source is predominantly aluminum and iron precipitates, organic carbon and evaporite minerals. The objective is to qualitatively analyze solid-phase uranium associations from samples collected below the water table from source zone; above and below naturally reducing zone, and above and below water table from downgradient. Uranium mineralogic associations will be first observed using fission-track radiography images coupled to scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Potential solid-phase uranium associations will be elucidated by elemental analysis in the proximity of uranium using energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry (EDS). The association of uranium identification will allow to better interpret the transport mechanism of uranium from solid phase to aqueous phase.