Sources of radon and its measurement techniques in underground uranium mines – an overview

• Autorzy: Sahu P. , Panigrahi D. C. , Mishra D. P.

Identyfikatory

DOI

10.7424/jsm140303

• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Purpose This study aims to identify the potential sources of radon exhalation and its measurement in underground uranium mines to control the radiation levels within safe limits and protect miners from radiation hazards. Methods An extensive literature review on radon exhalation in underground uranium mines from various sources such as uranium ore, backfill tailings and mine water has been carried out. The influence of different important factors, viz. ore grade, porosity, grain size and moisture content on radon exhalation has been discussed in depth. Different methods for the measurement of radon exhalation from various sources in mines have also been presented in this paper. Results The review of literature revealed that the radon exhalation rate in porous uranium bearing rocks is less affected by the ore grade than in non-porous rocks. The exhalation of radon from backfill tailings is quantitatively more significant than from the uranium ore itself due to higher bulk porosity and enhanced surface area. Thus, porosity is the dominant factor that affects the rate of radon exhalation from rock surfaces into mine openings. Practical implications The knowledge of the sources of radon and quantitative estimation of radon from various sources will be very much useful in the planning and designing of ventilation systems in underground uranium mines. The accurate measurement of radon exhalation in underground uranium mines can be made by choosing the optimum size of accumulation chamber and a suitable radon build-up period in the chamber. Originality/ value The study portrays the important sources of radon and its measurement techniques in underground uranium mines based on an extensive literature review. The methods of measurement of radon exhalation from the ore body and backfill tailings in underground uranium mines, used by the authors of this paper, comparatively give more accurate results than previously used methods. Furthermore, the methods are more effective in terms of portability, cost and time for measuring the average radon exhalation across a large.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

underground uranium mine; radon exhalation; uranium-bearing ore; backfill tailings; mine water; accumulation technique

PL

podziemna kopalnia uranu; ekshalacja radonu; rudy uranu; wody kopalniane; technika akumulacji

• Wydawca: Elsevier ; Główny Instytut Górnictwa
• Czasopismo: Journal of Sustainable Mining
• Rocznik: 2014
• Tom: Vol. 13, iss. 3
• Strony: 11--18
• Opis fizyczny: Bibliogr. 58 poz.

Twórcy

autor

Sahu P.

• Department of Mining Engineering, Indian School of Mines (Dhanbad, Jharkhand, India)

autor

Panigrahi D. C.

• Department of Mining Engineering, Indian School of Mines (Dhanbad, Jharkhand, India)

autor

Mishra D. P.

• Department of Mining Engineering, Indian School of Mines (Dhanbad, Jharkhand, India), tel.: [phone]; fax: [phone]

Bibliografia

• 1. Andrews, J.N., & Wood, D.F. (1972). Mechanism of radon release in rock matrices and entry into ground water. Transactions of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, 81, 198–209.
• 2. Austin, S.R., & Droullard, R.F. (1978). Radon emanation from domestic uranium ores determined by modifications of the closed-can, gamma-only assay method. Report of Investigations 8264. Washington D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines.
• 3. Bollhofer, A., Storm, J., Martin, P., & Tims, S. (2006). Geographic variability in radon exhalation at a rehabilitated uranium mine in the Northern Territory, Australia. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 114, 313–330.
• 4. Bossard, F.C. (1982). Ventilation of uranium mines. In: A Manual of Mine Ventilation Design Practices (pp. 34.1–34.7). Butte, MT: Floyd C. Bossard & Associates Inc.
• 5. Bossard, F.C., et al. (1974). Survey of radon daughter emission sources, rates and current control practices. A report prepared for the U.S. Bureau of Mines.
• 6. Breitner, D., Arvela, H., Hellmuth, K.H., & Renvall, T. (2010). Effect of moisture content on emanation at different grain size fractions – a pilot study on granitic esker sand sample. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 101(11), 1002–1006.
• 7. Chałupnik, S., Skowronek, J., Lebecka, J., Skubacz, K., Wysocka, M., & Michalik, B. (2002). System of radiation hazard monitoring and control in the coal mines of Poland. Journal of Mining Science, 38(6), 587–595.
• 8. Cheng, K.C., & Porritt, J.W.M. (1981). The measurement of radon emanation rates in a Canadian cut-and-fill uranium mine. Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Bulletin, 74(825), 110–118.
• 9. Countess, R.J. (1977). Measurement of 222Rn exhalation with charcoal canisters. In Workshops on Methods for Measuring Radiation in and Around Uranium Mills, Albuquerque, N.M. (pp. 139 –147). Atomic Industrial Forum.
• 10. Doyi, I., Oppon, O.C., Glover, E.T., Gbeddy, G., & Kokroko, W. (2013). Assessment of occupational radiation exposure in underground artisanal gold mines in Tongo, Upper East Region of Ghana. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 126, 77–82.
• 11. Escobar, V.G., Tome, F.V., & Lozano, J.C. (1999). Procedures for the determination of 222Rn exhalation and effective 226Ra activity in soil samples. Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 50(6), 1039–1047.
• 12. Franklin, J.C., Washington, R.A., Kerkering, J.C., Montone, H., & Regan, R. (1982). Radon emanation from stopes backfilled with cemented uranium mill tailings. Washington D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines.
• 13. Freeman, H.D. (1981). An improved radon exhalation measurement system for uranium tailings pile measurement. In M. Gomez (Ed.), Radiation Hazards in Mining, Colorado School of Mines (pp. 1–6). New York, NY: Society of Mining Engineers of American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers.
• 14. Fusamura, N., & Misawa, H. (1964). Measurement of radioactive gas and dust as well as investigation into their prevention in Japanese uranium mines. In Proceedings International Atomic Energy Agency Symposium on Radiological Health and Safety in Mining and Milling of Nuclear Materials, Vienna 1963 (Vol. 1, pp. 391–399). Vienna: International Atomic Energy Agency.
• 15. Grosche, B., Kreuzer, M., Kreisheimer, M., Schnelzer, M., & Tschense, A. (2006). Lung cancer risk among German male uranium miners: a cohort study, 1946–1998. British Journal of Cancer, 95(9), 1280–1287.
• 16. Gulson, B.L., Mizon, K.J., Dickson, B.L., & Korsch, M.J. (2005). The effect of exposure to employees from mining and milling operations in a uranium mine on lead isotopes – a pilot studies. Science of the Total Environment, 339, 267–272.
• 17. Ham, J.M. (1976). Lung cancer and ionizing radiation in uranium mines. In Report of the royal commission on the health and safety of workers in mines (pp. 66–117). Toronto: Ministry of the Attorney General.
• 18. Hartley, J.N., Koehmstedt, P.L., & Esterl, D.J. (1980). Asphalt emulsion sealing of uranium mill tailings. In C.J.M. Northrup Jr (Ed.), Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management (Vol. 2, pp. 681–688). New York, NY: Plenum Press.
• 19. Hassan, N.M., Ishikawa, T., Hosoda, M., Iwaoka, K., Sorimachi, A., Sahoo, S.K., Janik, M., Kranrod, C., Yonehara, H., Fukushi, M., & Tokonami, S. (2011). The effect of water content on the radon emanation coefficient for some building materials used in Japan. Radiation Measurements, 46(2), 232–237.
• 20. Hosoda, M., Sorimachi, A., Tokonami, S., Ishikawa, T., Sahoo, S.K., Hassan, N.M., Fukushi, M., & Uchida, S. (2008). Generation and control of radon from soil. Paper presented at 12th International Congress of the International Radiation Protection Association, 19–24 October 2008, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
• 21. IAEA. (1976). Uranium ore processing. Proceeding Advisory Group Meeting. Washington, D.C., International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
• 22. IAEA. (1992a). Measurement and calculation of radon releases from uranium mill tailings. International Atomic Energy Agency, Technical Report Series No. 333, Vienna.
• 23. IAEA. (1992b). Current practices for the management and confinement of uranium mill tailings. International Atomic Energy Agency, Technical Report Series No. 335, Vienna.
• 24. IAEA. (2004). The long term stabilization of uranium mill tailings. International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA TEC-DOC-1403, Vienna.
• 25. IAEA. (2013). Measurement and calculation of radon releases from NORM residues. Technical Report Series no. 474, International Atomic Energy Agency.
• 26. ICRP. (1993). Protection against radon at home and at work. International Commission on Radiological Protection, ICRP Publication, 23(65–2).
• 27. Jamil, K, Ali, S. (2001). Estimation of radon concentrations in coal mines using a hybrid technique calibration curve. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 54(3), 415–422.
• 28. Jha, S., Khan, A.H., & Mishra, U.C. (2001). A study of the technologically modified sources of 222Rn and its environmental impact in an Indian U mineralised belt. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 53(2), 183–197.
• 29. Kavasi, N., Vigh, T., Kovacs, T., Vaupotic, J., Jobbagy, V., Ishikawa, T., & Yonehara, H. (2011). Dose estimation and radon action level problems due to nanosize radon progeny aerosols in underground manganese ore mine. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 102(9), 806–812.
• 30. Khan, A.H. (1979). A study on the factors affecting the build-up of radon-222 and its progeny in uranium mines. M.Sc. Thesis. University of Bombay, Mumbai, India.
• 31. Khan, A.H., & Raghavayya, M. (1973). Radon emanation studies in Jaduguda uranium mine. In Snyder, W.S. (ed.) 3rd International Congress of the International Radiation Protection Association, Washington, District of Columbia, USA, 9 Sep 1973 (pp. 939–944). Washington, D.C.: International Radiation Protection Association.
• 32. Lawrence, C.E., Akber, R.A., Bollhofer, A., & Martin, P. (2009). Radon-222 exhalation from open ground on and around a uranium mine in the wet-dry tropics. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 100(1), 1–8.
• 33. Mayya, Y.S. (2004). Theory of radon exhalation into accumulators placed at the soil atmosphere interface. Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 111(3), 305–318.
• 34. Misaqi, L.F. (1975). Monitoring 222Rn content of mine waters. Mine Enforcement and Safety Administration, IR 1026, Berkley.
• 35. Mishra, D.P., Sahu, P., Panigrahi, D.C., Jha, V.N., & Patnaik, R.L. (2014). Assessment of 222Rn emanation from ore body and backfill tailings in low-grade underground uranium mine. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 21(3), 2305–2312.
• 36. Moed, B.A., Nazaroff, W.W., & Sextro, R.G. (1988). Soil as a source of indoor radon: Generation, migration and entry. In W.W. Nazaroff & A.V. Nero Jr. (Eds.), Radon and its decay products in indoor air (pp. 57–112). New York: John Wiley and Sons.
• 37. Mudd, G.M. (2000). Remediation of uranium mill tailings wastes in Australia: a critical review. In C.D. Johnston (Ed.), Contaminated Site Remediation: From Source Zones to Ecosystems (pp. 777–784). Melbourne, Australia.
• 38. Panigrahi, D.C., Sahu, P., Mishra, D.P., Jha, V.N., & Patnaik, R.L. (2014). Assessment of inhalation exposure potential of broken uranium ore piles in low-grade uranium mine. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry. doi: 10.1007/s10967-014-3288-6.
• 39. Patnaik, R.L., Thakur, V.K., Jha, V.N., Sethy, N.K., Srivastava, V.S., Kumar, R., Tripathi, R.M., & Puranik, V.D. (2014). Assessment of radiological environment around coal mining area of Dhanbad, Jharkhand. In D.N. Sharma, V.D. Puranik, Pushparaja (Eds.), Proceedings of the Thirtieth IARP Conference on Radiological Protection and Safety in Nuclear Reactors and Radiation Installations: Book of Abstracts (p. 68). Mumbai, India: Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.
• 40. Raghavayya, M. (1976). A study of the distribution of radioactivity in uranium mines. M.Sc. Thesis. University of Bombay, Mumbai, India.
• 41. Raghavayya, M., & Khan, A.H. (1973). Radon emanation from uranium mill tailings used as backfill in mines. In R.E., Stanley, A.A., Moghissi (Eds.) Symposium on noble gases, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; 24 Sep 1973 (pp. 269–273). Las Vegas, NV: National Environmental Research Center.
• 42. Raghavayya, M., Iyenger, M.A.R., & Markose, P.M. (1990). Estimation of radium-226 by emanometry. Bulletin of Radiation Protection, 3(4), 11–15.
• 43. Rock, R.L., & Beckman, R.T. (1977). Measurements of some of the factors which influence the radon daughter health hazard. Mine Enforcement and Safety Administration, MESA informational report 1067.
• 44. Sahu, P., Mishra, D.P., Panigrahi, D.C., Jha, V.N., & Patnaik, R.L. (2013). Radon emanation from low-grade uranium ore. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 126, 104–114.
• 45. Sahu, P., Mishra, D.P., Panigrahi, D.C., Jha, V.N., Patnaik, R.L., & Sethy, N.K. (2014). Radon emanation from backfilled mill tailings in underground uranium mine. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 130, 15–21.
• 46. Sakoda, A., Ishimori, Y., & Yamaoka, K. (2011). A comprehensive review of radon emanation measurements for mineral, rock, soil, mill tailing and fly ash. Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 69(10), 1422–1435.
• 47. Schroeder, G.L., & Evans, R.D. (1969). Some basic concepts in uranium mine ventilation. AIME Transactions, 244, 301–307.
• 48. Schumann, R.R. (1993). The radon emanation coefficient: An important tool for geological radon potential estimation. In International Radon Conference (pp. IV 40–IV 47). Denver, CO: American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists.
• 49. Strong, K.P., & Levins, D.M. (1982). Effect of moisture content on radon emanation from uranium ore and tailings. Health Physics, 42(1), 27–32.
• 50. Tanner, A.B. (1980). Radon migration in the ground: A supplementary review. In T.F. Gesell, W.M. Lowder (Eds.), Proceedings of Natural Radiation Environment III (pp. 5–56). Springfield, MA: National Technical Information Service U.S. Department of comm. Rep. CONF. 780422.
• 51. Thompkins, R.W. (1974). Characteristics of radon gas concentration in underground mining. Paper presented at World Mining Congress, Lima, Peru.
• 52. Thompkins, R.W. (1982). Radiation in Uranium Mines. A manual of radon gas emission characteristics and techniques for estimating ventilation air requirements. Kingston, Ontario: Queen’s University.
• 53. Thompkins, R.W., & Cheng, K.C. (1969). The measurement of radon emanation rates in Canadian uranium mine. The Canadian Mining and Metallurgical Bulletin, 62, 1356– 1362.
• 54. Thompkins, R.W., & Rajhans, G.S. (1967). First progress report on the emanation of radon in Elliot Lake mines. Report No. 3. Ontario, Canada: Queen’s University.
• 55. Tripathi, R.M., Sahoo, S.K., Jha, V.N., Khan, A.H., & Puranik, V.D. (2008). Assessment of environmental radioactivity at uranium mining, processing and tailings management facility at Jaduguda, India. Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 66(11), 1666–1670.
• 56. Tsivoglou, E.C., & Ayer, H.E. (1954). Ventilation of uranium mines. A.M.A. Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Medicine, 10(2), 363–371.
• 57. Veiga, L.H.S., Melo, V., Koifman, S., & Amaral, E.C.S. (2004). High radon exposure in a Brazilian underground coal mine. Journal of Radiological Protection, 54(3), 415–422.
• 58. Yang, T.F., Chou, C.Y., Chen, C.H., Chyi, L.L., & Jiang, J.H. (2003). Exhalation of radon and its carrier gases in SW Taiwan. Radiation Measurements, 36(1–6), 425–429.