Radiological Analyses of 226Ra and 238U in Surface Water and Sediments from the Jackpile Member of the Morrison Formation, Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico.

Surface water and sediments from the Jackpile mine, St. Anthony mine, Rio Paguate, Rio Moquino, and Mesita Dam areas near Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico, were analyzed for 226Ra and U using gamma (γ) spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy, respectively. Activity ratios for 226Ra/238U for solid samples range from 0.34 ± 0.13 to 16 ± 2.9, which reflect uranium transport and accumulation (<1), relatively pristine material in secular equilibrium (1), and removal of uranium by weathering (>1). Concentrations ranging from 80 to 225 µg L-1 U were detected in unfiltered water samples near the Jackpile mine. Water samples upstream and downstream from the mine contained concentrations ranging from 12 to 15 µg L-1 U. Water samples collected from the North Pit standing pond in the Jackpile mine contained as much as 1560 pCi L-1 of 226Ra, and passing the water through a 0.2 µM filter did not substantially reduce the activity of 226Ra in the water. 234Th and 226Ra are in secular equilibrium in this water, while radon gas was lost from the water. The results of the current study provide insight into the distribution of U-series radionuclides in the Pueblo of Laguna area, including detection of high levels of radioactivity in water at some locations within the Jackpile mine.

Reactivity of As and U co-occurring in Mine Wastes in northeastern Arizona.

The reactivity of co-occurring arsenic (As) and uranium (U) in mine wastes was investigated using batch reactors, microscopy, spectroscopy, and aqueous chemistry. Analyses of field samples collected in proximity to mine wastes in northeastern Arizona confirm the presence of As and U in soils and surrounding waters, as reported in a previous study from our research group. In this study, we measured As (< 0.500 to 7.77 µg/L) and U (0.950 to 165 µg/L) in waters, as well as mine wastes (< 20.0 to 40.0 mg/kg As and < 60.0 to 110 mg/kg U) and background solids (< 20.0 mg/kg As and < 60.0 mg/kg U). Analysis with X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and electron microprobe show the co-occurrence of As and U with iron (Fe) and vanadium (V). These field conditions served as a foundation for additional laboratory experiments to assess the reactivity of metals in these mine wastes. Results from laboratory experiments indicate that labile and exchangeable As(V) was released to solution when solids were sequentially reacted with water and magnesium chloride (MgCl2), while limited U was released to solution with the same reactants. The predominance of As(V) in mine waste solids was confirmed by X-ray absorption near edge (XANES) analysis. Both As and U were released to solution after reaction of solids in batch experiments with HCO3 -. Both X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and XANES analysis determined the predominance of Fe(III) in the solids. Mössbauer spectroscopy detected the presence of nano-crystalline goethite, Fe(II) and Fe(III) in (phyllo)silicates, and an unidentified mineral with parameters consistent with arsenopyrite or jarosite in the mine waste solids. Our results suggest that As and U can be released under environmentally relevant conditions in mine waste, which is applicable to risk and exposure assessment.

Elevated Concentrations of U and Co-occurring Metals in Abandoned Mine Wastes in a Northeastern Arizona Native American Community.

The chemical interactions of U and co-occurring metals in abandoned mine wastes in a Native American community in northeastern Arizona were investigated using spectroscopy, microscopy and aqueous chemistry. The concentrations of U (67-169 µg L(-1)) in spring water samples exceed the EPA maximum contaminant limit of 30 µg L(-1). Elevated U (6,614 mg kg(-1)), V (15,814 mg kg(-1)), and As (40 mg kg(-1)) concentrations were detected in mine waste solids. Spectroscopy (XPS and XANES) solid analyses identified U (VI), As (-I and III) and Fe (II, III). Linear correlations for the release of U vs V and As vs Fe were observed for batch experiments when reacting mine waste solids with 10 mM ascorbic acid (∼pH 3.8) after 264 h. The release of U, V, As, and Fe was at least 4-fold lower after reaction with 10 mM bicarbonate (∼pH 8.3). These results suggest that U-V mineral phases similar to carnotite [K2(UO2)2V2O8] and As-Fe-bearing phases control the availability of U and As in these abandoned mine wastes. Elevated concentrations of metals are of concern due to human exposure pathways and exposure of livestock currently ingesting water in the area. This study contributes to understanding the occurrence and mobility of metals in communities located close to abandoned mine waste sites.

Environmental exposures to metals in Native communities and implications for child development: basis for the Navajo birth cohort study.

Two disparate statistics often cited for the Western United States raise concern about risks for developmental disabilities in Native American children. First, 13 of the states with the highest percentage of Native American population are located in the Western United States (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 ). Second, more than 161,000 abandoned hard-rock mines are located in 12 Western states (General Accounting Office, 2014 ). Moreover, numerous studies have linked low-level metals exposure with birth defects and developmental delays. Concern has emerged among tribal populations that metals exposure from abandoned mines might threaten development of future generations.