Assessment of potential migration of radionuclides and trace elements from the White Mesa uranium mill to the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation and surrounding areas, southeastern Utah

David L. Naftz; Anthony J. Ranalli; Ryan C. Rowland; Thomas M. Marston

doi:10.3133/sir20115231

Assessment of potential migration of radionuclides and trace elements from the White Mesa uranium mill to the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation and surrounding areas, southeastern Utah

Scientific Investigations Report 2011-5231

Prepared in cooperation with the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Region 8)

By: David L. Naftz, Anthony J. Ranalli, Ryan C. Rowland, and Thomas M. Marston

https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20115231

Metrics

Web analytics dashboard Metrics definitions

Links

More information: USGS Index Page (html)
Document: Report
Abstract: Executive Summary (requires Adobe Flash)
Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core

Abstract

In 2007, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe requested that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Geological Survey conduct an independent evaluation of potential offsite migration of radionuclides and selected trace elements associated with the ore storage and milling process at an active uranium mill site near White Mesa, Utah. Specific objectives of this study were (1) to determine recharge sources and residence times of groundwater surrounding the mill site, (2) to determine the current concentrations of uranium and associated trace elements in groundwater surrounding the mill site, (3) to differentiate natural and anthropogenic contaminant sources to groundwater resources surrounding the mill site, (4) to assess the solubility and potential for offsite transport of uranium-bearing minerals in groundwater surrounding the mill site, and (5) to use stream sediment and plant material samples from areas surrounding the mill site to identify potential areas of offsite contamination and likely contaminant sources.

Study Area

Additional publication details
Publication type	Report
Publication Subtype	USGS Numbered Series
Title	Assessment of potential migration of radionuclides and trace elements from the White Mesa uranium mill to the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation and surrounding areas, southeastern Utah
Series title	Scientific Investigations Report
Series number	2011-5231
DOI	10.3133/sir20115231
Year Published	2011
Language	English
Publisher	U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location	Reston, VA
Contributing office(s)	Utah Water Science Center, WY-MT Water Science Center
Description	Report: x, 75 p.; Executive Summary (Adobe Flash)
Country	United States
State	Utah
County	San Juan
City	Blanding;White Mesa
Other Geospatial	Ute Mountain Ute Reservation