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The presentation gives an overview of the different microbial diets and how plants, fungi and bacteria can be used for the bioremediation of uranium contaminated sites and waters. In particular, the advantages and disadvantages of the various approaches are named and a recommendation is given.

Over the past 200 years, industrialization has been responsible for increasing pollution and leading to increased degradation of air, water and land resources. Exploitation of natural resources has devastating effects upon environment, people's health, quality of life; particularly for women and children. They are exposed to toxic substances present in the environment which make them susceptible to various and serious health problems. Women have always been passive participants in development yet they are the key agents of sustainable and health development strategies. Women have actively played a significant role in protecting the environment. They have contributed actively in identifying the environmental problems and planning activities to gear up the sustainable development of their communities. Women from the rural area and marginalized communities are always socially excluded and have suffered the ill-effects of development, pollution and environmental destruction.

Over the past 200 years, industrialization has been responsible for increasing pollution and leading to increased degradation of air, water and land resources. Exploitation of natural resources has devastating effects upon environment, people's health, quality of life; particularly for women and children. They are exposed to toxic substances present in the environment which make them susceptible to various and serious health problems. Women have always been passive participants in development yet they are the key agents of sustainable and health development strategies. Women have actively played a significant role in protecting the environment. They have contributed actively in identifying the environmental problems and planning activities to gear up the sustainable development of their communities. Women from the rural area and marginalized communities are always socially excluded and have suffered the ill-effects of development, pollution and environmental destruction.

The Nuclear Culture project of Ele Carpenter is the overarching title for her curatorial research into art and nuclear culture covering the full material trace of radioactive materials from uranium mining, energy and weapons production, decommissioning and waste. The curatorial process involves working closely with artists and a range of nuclear contexts, carrying out field research, commissioning new artworks, curating exhibitions and hosting roundtable discussions and symposia. The project started in 2011 when Carpenter was invited to talk about how artists might respond to submarine dismantling by the Submarine Dismantling Project Advisory Group (SDPAG) who were advising the British Ministry of Defence on how to take apart and store their old laid up nuclear submarines, some of which still have their old reactors on board. This article is a conversation between Maarten Vanden Eynde and Ele Carpenter about the urgency of nuclear visibility and deep time responsibility of radioactive waste in a period of increasing insurmountability.

Environmental contamination caused by uranium mining is becoming a worldwide issuedue to its negative impact on the environment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the contaminationlevels of riparian forest stands and their interaction with pollutants on the example of two localitieswith long and short-term uranium mining closure. Notably high Cu content, which exceeded thelower range of the toxicity limit in 50–75% of the cases, was detected in the leaves. Increased U contentalso represents a potential risk. As both of the elements have a negative effect particularly on the rootsystem, it can be assumed that the soil-stabilizing and water erosion-reducing functions of the standsmay be reduced. Extremely high U content (51.8 mg/kg DA) in the leaves ofAesculus hippocastanumL. indicates its potential for phytoremediation. Significantly higher U content determined at thelocality with the long-term closure of mining was probably caused by the instauration of the shallowhydrogeological circulation after mine inundation. Strong correlation between U and Pb suggestsidentical trend of their uptake and accumulation by plants. A significant dependence of the level ofcontamination on the distance from its source was not demonstrated. Therefore, the management ofmining areas should focus on the protection of riparian forest, which can through its stabilizing anderosion-reducing functions and through suitable species composition effectively prevent spreadingof contamination.

Environmental contamination caused by uranium mining is becoming a worldwide issuedue to its negative impact on the environment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the contaminationlevels of riparian forest stands and their interaction with pollutants on the example of two localitieswith long and short-term uranium mining closure. Notably high Cu content, which exceeded thelower range of the toxicity limit in 50–75% of the cases, was detected in the leaves. Increased U contentalso represents a potential risk. As both of the elements have a negative effect particularly on the rootsystem, it can be assumed that the soil-stabilizing and water erosion-reducing functions of the standsmay be reduced. Extremely high U content (51.8 mg/kg DA) in the leaves ofAesculus hippocastanumL. indicates its potential for phytoremediation. Significantly higher U content determined at thelocality with the long-term closure of mining was probably caused by the instauration of the shallowhydrogeological circulation after mine inundation. Strong correlation between U and Pb suggestsidentical trend of their uptake and accumulation by plants. A significant dependence of the level ofcontamination on the distance from its source was not demonstrated. Therefore, the management ofmining areas should focus on the protection of riparian forest, which can through its stabilizing anderosion-reducing functions and through suitable species composition effectively prevent spreadingof contamination.

Environmental contamination caused by uranium mining is becoming a worldwide issuedue to its negative impact on the environment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the contaminationlevels of riparian forest stands and their interaction with pollutants on the example of two localitieswith long and short-term uranium mining closure. Notably high Cu content, which exceeded thelower range of the toxicity limit in 50–75% of the cases, was detected in the leaves. Increased U contentalso represents a potential risk. As both of the elements have a negative effect particularly on the rootsystem, it can be assumed that the soil-stabilizing and water erosion-reducing functions of the standsmay be reduced. Extremely high U content (51.8 mg/kg DA) in the leaves ofAesculus hippocastanumL. indicates its potential for phytoremediation. Significantly higher U content determined at thelocality with the long-term closure of mining was probably caused by the instauration of the shallowhydrogeological circulation after mine inundation. Strong correlation between U and Pb suggestsidentical trend of their uptake and accumulation by plants. A significant dependence of the level ofcontamination on the distance from its source was not demonstrated. Therefore, the management ofmining areas should focus on the protection of riparian forest, which can through its stabilizing anderosion-reducing functions and through suitable species composition effectively prevent spreadingof contamination.

The Generalized Integral Transform Technique (GITT) was employed to simulate transient one-dimensional flow in variably saturated porous media, as well as radioactive waste transport within different layers (a solid waste pile, nearby soil, and a granular aquifer) towards the edge of a uranium mining installation under institutional control. Computational codes, written using the Mathematica software system, were implemented and tested for solution of the coupled advection-dispersion equations for an arbitrary number of daughter products within a radioactive chain migrating in saturated and unsaturated soil layers. The computer simulations were verified in great detail against results obtained using the built-in routine NDSolve of the Mathematica platform and the HYDRUS-1D software system. The present work reports the main results for 238U chain radionuclide transport using data extracted from a safety assessment of solid waste repositories at a uranium mining and milling installation in Caetité, state of Bahia, Brazil, operated by INB (Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil). Concentration evolutions of the various radionuclides obtained with the simulations were analyzed for five different cases to explore variations in the infiltration and recharge rates, the effect of assuming physical equilibrium or non-equilibrium transport conditions, and of different initial concentrations of some of the radionuclides.

Environmental contamination caused by uranium mining is becoming a worldwide issuedue to its negative impact on the environment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the contaminationlevels of riparian forest stands and their interaction with pollutants on the example of two localitieswith long and short-term uranium mining closure. Notably high Cu content, which exceeded thelower range of the toxicity limit in 50–75% of the cases, was detected in the leaves. Increased U contentalso represents a potential risk. As both of the elements have a negative effect particularly on the rootsystem, it can be assumed that the soil-stabilizing and water erosion-reducing functions of the standsmay be reduced. Extremely high U content (51.8 mg/kg DA) in the leaves ofAesculus hippocastanumL. indicates its potential for phytoremediation. Significantly higher U content determined at thelocality with the long-term closure of mining was probably caused by the instauration of the shallowhydrogeological circulation after mine inundation. Strong correlation between U and Pb suggestsidentical trend of their uptake and accumulation by plants. A significant dependence of the level ofcontamination on the distance from its source was not demonstrated. Therefore, the management ofmining areas should focus on the protection of riparian forest, which can through its stabilizing anderosion-reducing functions and through suitable species composition effectively prevent spreadingof contamination.

Environmental contamination caused by uranium mining is becoming a worldwide issuedue to its negative impact on the environment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the contaminationlevels of riparian forest stands and their interaction with pollutants on the example of two localitieswith long and short-term uranium mining closure. Notably high Cu content, which exceeded thelower range of the toxicity limit in 50–75% of the cases, was detected in the leaves. Increased U contentalso represents a potential risk. As both of the elements have a negative effect particularly on the rootsystem, it can be assumed that the soil-stabilizing and water erosion-reducing functions of the standsmay be reduced. Extremely high U content (51.8 mg/kg DA) in the leaves ofAesculus hippocastanumL. indicates its potential for phytoremediation. Significantly higher U content determined at thelocality with the long-term closure of mining was probably caused by the instauration of the shallowhydrogeological circulation after mine inundation. Strong correlation between U and Pb suggestsidentical trend of their uptake and accumulation by plants. A significant dependence of the level ofcontamination on the distance from its source was not demonstrated. Therefore, the management ofmining areas should focus on the protection of riparian forest, which can through its stabilizing anderosion-reducing functions and through suitable species composition effectively prevent spreadingof contamination.

Environmental contamination caused by uranium mining is becoming a worldwide issuedue to its negative impact on the environment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the contaminationlevels of riparian forest stands and their interaction with pollutants on the example of two localitieswith long and short-term uranium mining closure. Notably high Cu content, which exceeded thelower range of the toxicity limit in 50–75% of the cases, was detected in the leaves. Increased U contentalso represents a potential risk. As both of the elements have a negative effect particularly on the rootsystem, it can be assumed that the soil-stabilizing and water erosion-reducing functions of the standsmay be reduced. Extremely high U content (51.8 mg/kg DA) in the leaves ofAesculus hippocastanumL. indicates its potential for phytoremediation. Significantly higher U content determined at thelocality with the long-term closure of mining was probably caused by the instauration of the shallowhydrogeological circulation after mine inundation. Strong correlation between U and Pb suggestsidentical trend of their uptake and accumulation by plants. A significant dependence of the level ofcontamination on the distance from its source was not demonstrated. Therefore, the management ofmining areas should focus on the protection of riparian forest, which can through its stabilizing anderosion-reducing functions and through suitable species composition effectively prevent spreadingof contamination.

Uranium mining and milling activities raise environmental concerns due to the release of radioactive and other toxic elements. Their long-term management thus requires a knowledge of past events coupled with a good understanding of the geochemical mechanisms regulating the mobility of residual radionuclides. This article presents the results on the traces of anthropic activity linked to previous uranium (U) mining activities in the vicinity of the Rophin tailings storage site (Puy de Dôme, France). Several complementary approaches were developed based on a study of the site's history and records, as well as on a radiological and chemical characterization of soil cores and a dendrochronology. Gamma survey measurements of the wetland downstream of the Rophin site revealed a level of 1050 nSv.h−1. Soil cores extracted in the wetland showed U concentrations of up to 1855 mg.kg−1, which appears to be associated with the presence of a whitish silt loam (WSL) soil layer located below an organic topsoil layer. Records, corroborated by prior aerial photographs and analyses of 137Cs and 14C activities, suggest the discharge of U mineral particles while the site was being operated. Moreover, lead isotope ratios indicate that contamination in the WSL layer can be discriminated by a larger contribution of radiogenic lead to total lead. The dendroanalysis correlate U emissions from Rophin with the site's history. Oak tree rings located downstream of the site contain uranium concentrations ten times higher than values measured on unaffected trees. Moreover, the highest U concentrations were recorded not only for the operating period, but more surprisingly for the recent site renovations as well. This integrated approach corroborates that U mineral particles were initially transported as mineral particles in Rophin's watershed and that amajority of the deposited uranium appears to have been trapped in the topsoil layer, with high organic matter content.

Time series analysis of Sentinel-1 SAR imagery made available by the Google Earth Engine (GEE) is described. Advantage is taken of a recent modification of a sequential complex Wishart-based algorithm which is applicable to the dual polarization intensity data archived on the GEE. Both the algorithm and a software interface to the GEE Python API for convenient data exploration and analysis are presented; the latter can be run from a platform independent Docker container and the source code is available on GitHub. Application examples are given involving the monitoring of anthropogenic activity (shipping, uranium mining, deforestation) and disaster assessment (flash floods). These highlight the advantages of the good temporal resolution resulting from cloud cover independence, short revisit times and near real time data availability.

It is well established that high radon exposures increase the risk of lung cancer mortality. The effects of low occupational exposures and the factors that confound and modify this risk are not clear and are needed to inform current radiation protection of miners. The risk of lung cancer mortality at low radon exposures (< 100 working-level months) was assessed in the joint cohort analysis of Czech, French, and Canadian uranium miners, employed in 1953 or later. Statistical analysis was based on linear Poisson regression modeling with grouped cohort survival data. Two sensitivity analyses were used to assess potential confounding from tobacco smoking. A statistically significant linear relationship between radon exposure and lung cancer mortality was found. The excess relative risk per working-level month was 0.022 (95% confidence intervals: 0.013-0.034), based on 408 lung cancer deaths and 394,236 person-years of risk. Time since exposure was a statistically significant modifier; risk decreased with increasing time since exposure. A tendency for a decrease in risk with increasing attained age was observed, but this was not statistically significant. Exposure rate was not found to be a modifier of the excess relative risk. The potential confounding effect of tobacco smoking was estimated to be small and did not substantially change the radon-lung cancer mortality risk estimates. This joint cohort analysis provides strong evidence for an increased risk of lung cancer mortality from low occupational radon exposures. The results suggest that radiation protection measures continue to be important among current uranium miners.

It is well established that high radon exposures increase the risk of lung cancer mortality. The effects of low occupational exposures and the factors that confound and modify this risk are not clear and are needed to inform current radiation protection of miners. The risk of lung cancer mortality at low radon exposures (< 100 working-level months) was assessed in the joint cohort analysis of Czech, French, and Canadian uranium miners, employed in 1953 or later. Statistical analysis was based on linear Poisson regression modeling with grouped cohort survival data. Two sensitivity analyses were used to assess potential confounding from tobacco smoking. A statistically significant linear relationship between radon exposure and lung cancer mortality was found. The excess relative risk per working-level month was 0.022 (95% confidence intervals: 0.013-0.034), based on 408 lung cancer deaths and 394,236 person-years of risk. Time since exposure was a statistically significant modifier; risk decreased with increasing time since exposure. A tendency for a decrease in risk with increasing attained age was observed, but this was not statistically significant. Exposure rate was not found to be a modifier of the excess relative risk. The potential confounding effect of tobacco smoking was estimated to be small and did not substantially change the radon-lung cancer mortality risk estimates. This joint cohort analysis provides strong evidence for an increased risk of lung cancer mortality from low occupational radon exposures. The results suggest that radiation protection measures continue to be important among current uranium miners.

There is increasing need to understand the interdependencies between energy resource development and water resources, particularly in arid regions with vast energy reserves like New Mexico. The state has a long history of energy resource development, including both uranium and fossil fuels. These activities have and continue to impact scarce water resources. There exist gaps in knowledge regarding the drivers of historic uranium mining and the uncertainties inherent in past estimates of groundwater impacts because of mining activity and in current understanding of the energy required to manage water in the oil and gas industry. Although uranium has not been mined in the state for decades there is increasing interest in sourcing uranium domestically, for which the state ranks second in national reserves. While historic mining had extensive impacts on water resources, past estimates have not considered uncertainty when evaluating the range of potential impacts in the future. Addressing these gaps will improve our understanding of the connections between energy resource development and water resources and add to existing knowledge by developing modeling methods and tools. This research addresses these gaps by developing modeling approaches to improve understanding of the interrelationships between energy development and water resources and to aid in future decision-making. The three objectives of this research are to 1) improve understanding of the roles that economics and policy played in the operation of U mines in New Mexico using a system dynamics modeling (SD) framework; 2) to develop a decision support tool to evaluate the impacts on and uncertainties associated with renewed uranium mining on groundwater in the San Juan Basin, NM; and to 3) to evaluate the energy required to manage fresh and produced water associated with oil and gas production in NM. This work was developed using SD modeling and incorporated optimization techniques to understand how changes i

There is increasing need to understand the interdependencies between energy resource development and water resources, particularly in arid regions with vast energy reserves like New Mexico. The state has a long history of energy resource development, including both uranium and fossil fuels. These activities have and continue to impact scarce water resources. There exist gaps in knowledge regarding the drivers of historic uranium mining and the uncertainties inherent in past estimates of groundwater impacts because of mining activity and in current understanding of the energy required to manage water in the oil and gas industry. Although uranium has not been mined in the state for decades there is increasing interest in sourcing uranium domestically, for which the state ranks second in national reserves. While historic mining had extensive impacts on water resources, past estimates have not considered uncertainty when evaluating the range of potential impacts in the future. Addressing these gaps will improve our understanding of the connections between energy resource development and water resources and add to existing knowledge by developing modeling methods and tools. This research addresses these gaps by developing modeling approaches to improve understanding of the interrelationships between energy development and water resources and to aid in future decision-making. The three objectives of this research are to 1) improve understanding of the roles that economics and policy played in the operation of U mines in New Mexico using a system dynamics modeling (SD) framework; 2) to develop a decision support tool to evaluate the impacts on and uncertainties associated with renewed uranium mining on groundwater in the San Juan Basin, NM; and to 3) to evaluate the energy required to manage fresh and produced water associated with oil and gas production in NM. This work was developed using SD modeling and incorporated optimization techniques to understand how changes i

Uranium mining and milling in northwestern New Mexico (NM) impacted soils, stream sediments, surface water, and ground water with elevated levels of radioactivity and toxic heavy metals. Uranium and its radioactive decay products such as radium and radon gas present a significant public health and safety hazard and environmental health risk. The exposure of people and the environment to heavy metals and radionuclides in soil, air, and water in the vicinity of legacy uranium operations in the Grants District requires mitigation through the systematic assessment and cleanup of materials and sites bearing these hazardous contaminants. In August 2010 EPA released the Five-Year Plan Grants Mining District, New Mexico to assess and cleanup hazards from legacy uranium in northwestern NM. An evaluation of the activities in the first five years (2010-2014) of such a large-scale project was performed to determine if there has been measurable progress toward major goals and specific tasks in the Plan. The Six Objectives of the Plan address the following areas: 1. ground water; 2. mines; 3. mills; 4. structures; 5. Jackpile Mine, and 6. biomonitoring. The Plan accomplishments and progress during 2010-2014 toward completion of these six Objectives indicates that Jackpile Mine and Biomonitoring (Objectives 5 and 6, respectively) were achieved. Objectives 3 and 4 (mill sites and residential structures, respectively) show accomplishments and continuing work. Objectives relating to ground water and mine cleanup (Objective 1 and 2) show some progress but these two objectives were not fully achieved. Constraints and complexities related to regulatory practices, uncertainties, financial burden, and health impacts were identified as hindrance to full completion of the Six Objectives. Recommendations to support future work include development of an implementation plan for ground water, full enforcement of state ground water protection regulations, enhanced public involvement, and better

Uranium mining and milling in northwestern New Mexico (NM) impacted soils, stream sediments, surface water, and ground water with elevated levels of radioactivity and toxic heavy metals. Uranium and its radioactive decay products such as radium and radon gas present a significant public health and safety hazard and environmental health risk. The exposure of people and the environment to heavy metals and radionuclides in soil, air, and water in the vicinity of legacy uranium operations in the Grants District requires mitigation through the systematic assessment and cleanup of materials and sites bearing these hazardous contaminants. In August 2010 EPA released the Five-Year Plan Grants Mining District, New Mexico to assess and cleanup hazards from legacy uranium in northwestern NM. An evaluation of the activities in the first five years (2010-2014) of such a large-scale project was performed to determine if there has been measurable progress toward major goals and specific tasks in the Plan. The Six Objectives of the Plan address the following areas: 1. ground water; 2. mines; 3. mills; 4. structures; 5. Jackpile Mine, and 6. biomonitoring. The Plan accomplishments and progress during 2010-2014 toward completion of these six Objectives indicates that Jackpile Mine and Biomonitoring (Objectives 5 and 6, respectively) were achieved. Objectives 3 and 4 (mill sites and residential structures, respectively) show accomplishments and continuing work. Objectives relating to ground water and mine cleanup (Objective 1 and 2) show some progress but these two objectives were not fully achieved. Constraints and complexities related to regulatory practices, uncertainties, financial burden, and health impacts were identified as hindrance to full completion of the Six Objectives. Recommendations to support future work include development of an implementation plan for ground water, full enforcement of state ground water protection regulations, enhanced public involvement, and better

The objective of this research was to improve understanding of the groundwater impacts of uranium mining in the San Juan Basin by estimating the volumetric amount of water removed from the underlying Westwater Canyon member aquifer. This was achieved by modeling a conceptual mine that is based on the physical characteristics present near the proposed Roca Honda Mine near Grants, New Mexico. An analysis of the uncertainty of the physical, situational, and model parameters and their associated sensitivities was conducted so that an understanding of potential groundwater withdrawals for uranium mining could be gathered. Uranium mining in the San Juan Basin, New Mexico, has ranged from being active between the years of 1950 and 1980, to currently non-existent due to volatility in the price of uranium. Previous mining in the area has caused detrimental effects to water resources in the area and future mining activity in the area could have a similar effect. Although it is well known that mining has and will affect water resources in the San Juan Basin, there is little knowledge on this subject available. The key findings through the analysis and understanding of the uncertainty and sensitivity of these aquifer properties were the probability and the range of the volumes and flow rates that would be extracted for the conceptual mine. This analysis allows for better decisions and research to be made about future mining activity.

The exhibiting artists in the performance and video event engaged with motion to reflect on the kinds of change or states of flux experienced in the world today. Jabiluka UO2 reminds us of the continuing environmental problems associated with the mining industry and Indigenous Australian's control of their land, and the dangers of uranium mining for the environment.

The objective of this research was to improve understanding of the groundwater impacts of uranium mining in the San Juan Basin by estimating the volumetric amount of water removed from the underlying Westwater Canyon member aquifer. This was achieved by modeling a conceptual mine that is based on the physical characteristics present near the proposed Roca Honda Mine near Grants, New Mexico. An analysis of the uncertainty of the physical, situational, and model parameters and their associated sensitivities was conducted so that an understanding of potential groundwater withdrawals for uranium mining could be gathered. Uranium mining in the San Juan Basin, New Mexico, has ranged from being active between the years of 1950 and 1980, to currently non-existent due to volatility in the price of uranium. Previous mining in the area has caused detrimental effects to water resources in the area and future mining activity in the area could have a similar effect. Although it is well known that mining has and will affect water resources in the San Juan Basin, there is little knowledge on this subject available. The key findings through the analysis and understanding of the uncertainty and sensitivity of these aquifer properties were the probability and the range of the volumes and flow rates that would be extracted for the conceptual mine. This analysis allows for better decisions and research to be made about future mining activity.

Provides an overview of uranium mining's role and influence in the American West with comparative information on uranium mining in foreign countries.

Roughly 10% of the Namibian GDP and over 40% of total exports are dependent on themining sector. Namibia is one of the five leading uranium producing countries worldwide withperspectives to triple the production in the following years. This study aims to identify the implicationsto sustainable development of the country carried by such a strategy to stimulate the economic growth.The complexity of the issue is addressed by an interdisciplinary set of methods leading to a betterunderstanding of processes linking uranium mining in Namibia with the environment, society and theglobal economy. Regulatory, trade and production systems are outlined and assessed, after which astakeholder analysis is conducted in order to determine who are the most influential actors as well asparties affected by the uranium production in Namibia. The results reveal a great dependence of the Namibian uranium mining sector on external factors, with the government perceived as the most affected stakeholder.

The activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in soils from the area affected by uranium mining at Stara Planina Mountain in Serbia were studied and compared with the results obtained from an area with no mining activities (background area). In the affected area, the activity concentrations ranged from 1.75 to 19.2 mg kg−1 for uranium and from 1.57 to 26.9 mg kg−1 for thorium which is several-fold higher than those in the background area. The Th/U, K/U, and K/Th activity ratios were also determined and compared with data from similar studies worldwide. External gamma dose rate in the air due to uranium, thorium, and potassium at 1 m above ground level in the area affected by uranium mining was found to be 91.3 nGy h−1, i.e., about two-fold higher than that in background area. The results of this preliminary study indicate the importance of radiological evaluation of the area and implementation of remedial measures in order to prevent further dispersion of radionuclides in the environment.

Roughly 10% of the Namibian GDP and over 40% of total exports are dependent on themining sector. Namibia is one of the five leading uranium producing countries worldwide withperspectives to triple the production in the following years. This study aims to identify the implicationsto sustainable development of the country carried by such a strategy to stimulate the economic growth.The complexity of the issue is addressed by an interdisciplinary set of methods leading to a betterunderstanding of processes linking uranium mining in Namibia with the environment, society and theglobal economy. Regulatory, trade and production systems are outlined and assessed, after which astakeholder analysis is conducted in order to determine who are the most influential actors as well asparties affected by the uranium production in Namibia. The results reveal a great dependence of the Namibian uranium mining sector on external factors, with the government perceived as the most affected stakeholder.

Extreme environments may support communities of microalgae living at the limits of their tolerance. It is usually assumed that these extreme environments are inhabited by extremophile species. However, global anthropogenic environmental changes are generating new extreme environments, such as mining-effluent pools of residual waters from uranium mining with high U levels, acidity and radioactivity in Salamanca (Spain). Certain microalgal species have rapidly adapted to these extreme waters (uranium mining in this area began in 1960). Experiments have demonstrated that physiological acclimatisation would be unable to achieve adaptation. In contrast, rapid genetic adaptation was observed in waters ostensibly lethal to microalgae by means of rare spontaneous mutations that occurred prior to the exposure to effluent waters from uranium mining. However, adaptation to the most extreme conditions was only possible after recombination through sexual mating because adaptation requires more than one mutation. Microalgae living in extreme environments could be the descendants of pre-selective mutants that confer significant adaptive value to extreme contamination. These “lucky mutants” could allow for the evolutionary rescue of populations faced with rapid environmental change.

Provides an overview of uranium mining's role and influence in the American West with comparative information on uranium mining in foreign countries.

[no abstract]

Australian guidelines recommend that tailings materials from uranium (U) mining and milling be contained without any detrimental impact on the environment for at least 1000 years. Natural analogue sites are being investigated to determine if they can provide data on the rates of natural erosion processes which occur over these timescales, for input into predictive geomorphic computer models. This paper presents radionuclide, metal and stable lead (Pb) isotope data from sediment cores and surface soils in the vicinity of two mineralised areas in the Alligator Rivers Region. Surface scrapes from the natural Anomaly #2, south of the Ranger mineral lease, exhibit radiogenic 206Pb/ 207Pb and 208Pb/ 207Pb ratios, and elevated U and metal concentrations typical for a near surface U anomaly. In contrast, samples taken from the Koongarra mineral lease (KML) show radionuclide activity and metal concentrations similar to natural areas elsewhere in the Alligator Rivers Region and Pb isotope ratios are closer to present day average crustal ratios (PDAC), as the orebodies at KML are covered by surficial sand. A sediment core collected from Anbangbang Billabong, downstream of KML, exhibits small variations in Pb isotope ratios that indicate that approximately 1% of the upper sediments in the sediment core may be derived from material originating from the U anomaly at Koongarra.

Historically, the Inuit of Qamani’tuaq (Baker Lake) have expressed strong opposition to uranium mining in their territory, in part due to concerns that it would be detrimental to their harvesting practices. During these struggles, the Inuit of Qamani’tuaq had the support of various Inuit Organizations. The first decade of the 2000s saw the relevant Inuit Organizations change their policies from ones which opposed uranium mining to ones which support it. This thesis is an attempt to understand if Inuit at the community level have changed their opinions about uranium mining and, if so, why. During my time in Qamani’tuaq, it became apparent that the shift in policy has been followed by a gradual change in perspective among some members of the community. While opposition to uranium mining is by no means dead, the seemingly united stance the community previously held has become fragmented. This change is due to a number of factors, including an increased astuteness on the part of the mining industry, certain aspects of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement and ongoing economic dependency upon the market economy.

Uranium migration is mainly occurred when mobile uranium species from rock piles and old mines are washed by surface water. It is necessary to study the pathway, the species, and the amount of migrating uranium compounds. The objective of this research is to investigate the interactions between solid mineral phases and mobile uranium species such as sorption, precipitation and forming secondary uranium minerals by time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). This technique has shown to be able to detect a trace amount of uranium (VI) species in both solution and solid phases. TRLFS delivers a fluorescence signal with characteristic features related to the concentration and speciation of fluorescent species in the sample. These features include, the positions of the peak maxima, and characteristic lifetimes of the signals. Results show fluorescent signals of absorbed uranium species on gibbsite and muscovite surfaces. The spectroscopic signatures of these uranium (VI) minerals are useful in identifying uranium (VI) species as colloids, thin coatings on rocks, minor components in soils, or alteration products of nuclear waste.

Uranium migration is mainly occurred when mobile uranium species from rock piles and old mines are washed by surface water. It is necessary to study the pathway, the species, and the amount of migrating uranium compounds. The objective of this research is to investigate the interactions between solid mineral phases and mobile uranium species such as sorption, precipitation and forming secondary uranium minerals by time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). This technique has shown to be able to detect a trace amount of uranium (VI) species in both solution and solid phases. TRLFS delivers a fluorescence signal with characteristic features related to the concentration and speciation of fluorescent species in the sample. These features include, the positions of the peak maxima, and characteristic lifetimes of the signals. Results show fluorescent signals of absorbed uranium species on gibbsite and muscovite surfaces. The spectroscopic signatures of these uranium (VI) minerals are useful in identifying uranium (VI) species as colloids, thin coatings on rocks, minor components in soils, or alteration products of nuclear waste.

As a consequence of extensive and reckless uranium mining in Eastern Germany by the Soviet mining company WISMUT between 1945 and 1990, numerous mining residues exist including important ecological problems in Saxony and Thuringia today. A main topic is washing out mobile uranium species from the rock piles and for-mer mines by surface water. It is necessary to control the pathway, the species, and the amount of migrating ura-nium compounds, and to investigate the interactions between solid mineral phases and mobile uranium species such as sorption, precipitation and forming secondary uranium minerals. One tool for analyzing tiny amounts of U(VI) species (but also in a minor way U(IV) and U(V) species) is time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). This method is well established in the Institute of Radiochemistry (IRC) from the Forschungszentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (FZD), especially in case of problems connected with uranium. TRLFS delivers a fluorescence signal with characteristic features in dependence of concentration and speciation of the fluorescent species in the sample. These features are the positions of the peak maxima, and, secondary, characteristic lifetimes of the signals. This technique is applicable in case of U(VI) spe-cies in water solutions, but also in case of thin U(VI) mineral coatings on solid phases. In that lecture results of investigations of adsorbed uranium species onto mineral surfaces like from gibbsite and from muscovite are presented. Spectroscopic characterisation of several secondary uranium minerals (e.g. bolt-woodite and compreignacite) by determination of the positions of the peak maxima and the lifetimes from the TRLFS signals are presented. The spectroscopic signatures of these uranium (VI) minerals are useful for identi-fying U(VI) mineral species as colloids, as thin coatings on rocks, as minor components in soils, or as alteration products of nuclear waste. Additionally the interaction between an aqueous sol

As a consequence of extensive and reckless uranium mining in Eastern Germany by the Soviet mining company WISMUT between 1945 and 1990, numerous mining residues exist including important ecological problems in Saxony and Thuringia today. A main topic is washing out mobile uranium species from the rock piles and for-mer mines by surface water. It is necessary to control the pathway, the species, and the amount of migrating ura-nium compounds, and to investigate the interactions between solid mineral phases and mobile uranium species such as sorption, precipitation and forming secondary uranium minerals. One tool for analyzing tiny amounts of U(VI) species (but also in a minor way U(IV) and U(V) species) is time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). This method is well established in the Institute of Radiochemistry (IRC) from the Forschungszentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (FZD), especially in case of problems connected with uranium. TRLFS delivers a fluorescence signal with characteristic features in dependence of concentration and speciation of the fluorescent species in the sample. These features are the positions of the peak maxima, and, secondary, characteristic lifetimes of the signals. This technique is applicable in case of U(VI) spe-cies in water solutions, but also in case of thin U(VI) mineral coatings on solid phases. In that lecture results of investigations of adsorbed uranium species onto mineral surfaces like from gibbsite and from muscovite are presented. Spectroscopic characterisation of several secondary uranium minerals (e.g. bolt-woodite and compreignacite) by determination of the positions of the peak maxima and the lifetimes from the TRLFS signals are presented. The spectroscopic signatures of these uranium (VI) minerals are useful for identi-fying U(VI) mineral species as colloids, as thin coatings on rocks, as minor components in soils, or as alteration products of nuclear waste. Additionally the interaction between an aqueous sol

Environmental radioactive pollution is produced mainly by the use of natural or artificial radioactive substances, the use of the nuclear power and nuclear weapons, constituting a great danger of contamination for the nature and the humanity; since many residues of these polluting materials have been scattered by all the earth. The risks of the radioactive contamination for the people and the environment depend on the nature of the radioactive contaminant, the pollution level and the extension of the contamination; since all the radiations are genotoxics, the probability of genetic alterations and production of mutations is going to depend on the exposure degree of the cells of an organism. In the last years, the environmental radioactive pollution hazards due to artificial radionuclides were reduced considerably, the scientific community has paid special interest in the contamination with natural radioactive elements like for example the radon released within the underground mines that the probability of occurrence of cancer of lung between the workers and the accumulation of different materials NORMS in mining activities increases, especially in the uranium zones of Pozo de Caldas (Brazil) and Macusani (Peru), zones of phosphoric operation of rocks (Bayovar) or polimetalic mining; the inadequate treatment of these materials is going to produce an important radiological impact and to alter to the habitat of different communities from plants and animals in the region., La contaminación radiactiva ambiental es producida principalmente por el uso de sustancias radiactivas naturales o artificiales, el uso de la energía nuclear y de armas nucleares, constituyendo un gran peligro de contaminación para la naturaleza y la humanidad; ya que se han esparcido por toda la tierra muchos residuos de estos materiales contaminantes. Los riesgos de la contaminación radioactiva para las personas y el medio ambiente dependen de la naturaleza del contaminante radiactivo, del nivel de contaminación y de la extensión de la contaminación; puesto que todas las radiaciones son genotóxicas, la probabilidad de alteraciones genéticas y producción de mutaciones va a depender del grado de exposición de las células de un organismo. En los últimos años, los riesgos de contaminación radiactiva ambiental debido a radionucleídos artificiales ha disminuido considerablemente, la comunidad científica ha prestado especial interés en la contaminación con elementos radiactivos naturales como por ejemplo el radón liberado dentro de las minas subterráneas que incrementa la probabilidad de ocurrencia de cáncer de pulmón entre los trabajadores y la acumulación de materiales NORM en diferente actividades mineras, especialmente en las zonas uraníferas de Pozo de Caldas (Brasil) y Macusani (Perú), o en zonas de explotación de rocas fosfórica (Bayovar) o minería polimetálica; el inadecuado tratamiento de estos materiales van a producir un impacto radiológico importante y alterar el hábitat de diferentes comunidades de plantas y animales en la región.

Background: Over the last three years uranium prices have soard from US $14 per pound (lb) to the current price of US $120/lb and this rapid incline of the commodity have created a boom within the uranium prospecting and min-ing industry. There are currently 435 nuclear reactors all over the world and these reactors demand 180 millions of pounds of uranium each year to run at full production. Currently the uranium mining industry only sup-plies 110 million pounds of the demanded quantity. The remaining 70 mil-lion pounds are coming from secondary sources such as decommissioned nuclear warheads and other sources. Market estimations say that the sec-ondary sources will only cover the shortage up until around 2012 then primary sources have to supply almost the whole quantity demanded. These factors imply that some sort of analysis model for uranium mining companies would be needed. Purpose: The purpose of this report is to valuate three companies within the ura-nium industry and to establish if the current market value is coherent with the fundamental value of these companies. The authors will propose a valuation model that could be used when valuating companies within the uranium industry. Method: A qualitative method has been used in order to value three companies within the uranium mining business that are fairly large players on the market. The valuation of these companies is based upon a discounted cash flow analysis, a relative PV valuation and relative valuation. The compa-nies included in the report are corporations that are quoted at Toronto Stock Exchange and they have started mining uranium. Data have been collected through annual reports and the companies Internet pages. Other secondary information such as valuation theories has been collected from academic search engines and books on the subjects. Conclusions: The current market values of uranium mining companies are not coherent with the actual fundamental values according to the authors. Both funda-menta

Background: Over the last three years uranium prices have soard from US $14 per pound (lb) to the current price of US $120/lb and this rapid incline of the commodity have created a boom within the uranium prospecting and min-ing industry. There are currently 435 nuclear reactors all over the world and these reactors demand 180 millions of pounds of uranium each year to run at full production. Currently the uranium mining industry only sup-plies 110 million pounds of the demanded quantity. The remaining 70 mil-lion pounds are coming from secondary sources such as decommissioned nuclear warheads and other sources. Market estimations say that the sec-ondary sources will only cover the shortage up until around 2012 then primary sources have to supply almost the whole quantity demanded. These factors imply that some sort of analysis model for uranium mining companies would be needed. Purpose: The purpose of this report is to valuate three companies within the ura-nium industry and to establish if the current market value is coherent with the fundamental value of these companies. The authors will propose a valuation model that could be used when valuating companies within the uranium industry. Method: A qualitative method has been used in order to value three companies within the uranium mining business that are fairly large players on the market. The valuation of these companies is based upon a discounted cash flow analysis, a relative PV valuation and relative valuation. The compa-nies included in the report are corporations that are quoted at Toronto Stock Exchange and they have started mining uranium. Data have been collected through annual reports and the companies Internet pages. Other secondary information such as valuation theories has been collected from academic search engines and books on the subjects. Conclusions: The current market values of uranium mining companies are not coherent with the actual fundamental values according to the authors. Both funda-menta

Radionuclides were investigated in sediments from the rivers Freiberger Mulde, Zwickauer Mulde and Vereinigte Mulde in Saxony/Germany as well as in areas potentially affected by the uranium mining and milling in Saxony in order to study the consequences of the August-2002 flood with respect to mobilization and transport of heavy-metal containing sediments. Sampling points were chosen to allow comparison of the results with those of earlier investigations performed about one decade ago. In addition, samples of high-flood sediments in urban areas were investigated. Radionuclide concentrations in sediments from the Freiberger Mulde reveal the geogenic background. The Zwickauer Mulde is still strongly affected by the former uranium mining and milling activities, but 238U and 226Ra activity concentrations are significantly lower than one decade ago. The same holds true for the Vereinigte Mulde, the activity concentrations being, however, lower due to dilution of sediments during long-range transport. To which degree the decreases are due to the interim remediation work or due to the flood event of 2002 cannot be decided. Definitive influences of the flood, i.e. mobilization and transport of materials from mine dumps and tailing ponds can be seen for some of the areas affected by uranium mining and milling. 238U/226Ra and 226Ra/210Pb radioactive disequilibria allow distinguishing the different types of materials polluting the sediments and their transport pathways. The radiological relevance of the results is discussed. Radionuklide im Flusssystem der Mulde nach der Flut im August 2002 Sedimente der Freiberger Mulde, der Zwickauer Mulde und der Vereinigten Mulde sowie aus Gebieten in Sachsen, die möglicherweise durch Uranabbau und Uranerzverarbeitung beeinflusst sind, wurden auf Radionuklide untersucht. Das Ziel war, die Folgen der Flut im August 2002 im Hinblick auf Mobilisierung und Transport von schwermetallhaltigen Sedimenten zu untersuchen. Die Probenahmeorte wurden

To study the effects of humic substances on the leaching and migration of uranium from uranium mining waste a natural rock material was sampled from a uranium rock pile situated in the mining region Schlema/Alberoda (Saxony, Germany). This report describes the sampling and characterization of the <1 mm grain size fraction of the rock material. The main focus is on the characterization of the sampled material with regard to its elemental and mineralogical composition and its amount of uranium that is accessible from the rock material by leaching processes.

The Navajo people perceive the world as an interconnected whole. This applies to religion, concepts of health, and their view of themselves in relation to the world. In effect, a disruption in one part of their lives creates a disharmony in the overall system. This disruption not only creates stress on the individual but threatens the Navajo fabric of life. In the late 1940s and 1950s the Navajo fabric of life was disturbed by the ill effects of uranium mining. With the rise of the Cold War, the United States government opened uranium mines in the Four Corners area of the Navajo Nation and remained the sole purchaser of uranium for defense purposes from the late 1940s to the early 1960s. During this period, the government offered higher paying jobs to local Navajo people in return for uranium. The Navajo were Unaware of the dangers associated with uranium mining and radon daughters. In contrast, the federal government was hardIy naive about the situation when it allowed thousands of Navajo people to face hazards to their health and their lives in the pursuit of the rich resources underneath reservation lands. The hazardous conditions in the mines eventually led to lung cancer and respiratory diseases that cause severe disability or death.

Tato bakalářská práce se zabývá současným stavem těžby uranu. Popisuje vývoj těžby uranu na území ČR od počátků až po současný stav těžby. Dále jsou zde shrnuty nynější světové zásoby uranu, včetně uvedení nejvýznamnějších těžebních oblastí. Je popsán způsob zpracování rudy, jeho dopad na životní prostředí a sanace oblasti zasažené těžbou. V poslední části jsou uvedeny možné způsoby využití uranu v budoucnu., This bachelor thesis is engaged in current state of uranium mining. It describes development of uranium mining on the area of the Czech Republic from the beginning to current state of mining. There are summarized current uranium reserves in the world, with the most important mining areas included. The treatment of uranium ore is described, with its influence on the environment and the remediation of affected mining area. In the last section, the possible ways of uranium usage in the future are mentioned.

Tato bakalářská práce se zabývá současným stavem těžby uranu. Popisuje vývoj těžby uranu na území ČR od počátků až po současný stav těžby. Dále jsou zde shrnuty nynější světové zásoby uranu, včetně uvedení nejvýznamnějších těžebních oblastí. Je popsán způsob zpracování rudy, jeho dopad na životní prostředí a sanace oblasti zasažené těžbou. V poslední části jsou uvedeny možné způsoby využití uranu v budoucnu., This bachelor thesis is engaged in current state of uranium mining. It describes development of uranium mining on the area of the Czech Republic from the beginning to current state of mining. There are summarized current uranium reserves in the world, with the most important mining areas included. The treatment of uranium ore is described, with its influence on the environment and the remediation of affected mining area. In the last section, the possible ways of uranium usage in the future are mentioned.

Tato bakalářská práce se zabývá současným stavem těžby uranu. Popisuje vývoj těžby uranu na území ČR od počátků až po současný stav těžby. Dále jsou zde shrnuty nynější světové zásoby uranu, včetně uvedení nejvýznamnějších těžebních oblastí. Je popsán způsob zpracování rudy, jeho dopad na životní prostředí a sanace oblasti zasažené těžbou. V poslední části jsou uvedeny možné způsoby využití uranu v budoucnu., This bachelor thesis is engaged in current state of uranium mining. It describes development of uranium mining on the area of the Czech Republic from the beginning to current state of mining. There are summarized current uranium reserves in the world, with the most important mining areas included. The treatment of uranium ore is described, with its influence on the environment and the remediation of affected mining area. In the last section, the possible ways of uranium usage in the future are mentioned.

Tato bakalářská práce se zabývá současným stavem těžby uranu. Popisuje vývoj těžby uranu na území ČR od počátků až po současný stav těžby. Dále jsou zde shrnuty nynější světové zásoby uranu, včetně uvedení nejvýznamnějších těžebních oblastí. Je popsán způsob zpracování rudy, jeho dopad na životní prostředí a sanace oblasti zasažené těžbou. V poslední části jsou uvedeny možné způsoby využití uranu v budoucnu., This bachelor thesis is engaged in current state of uranium mining. It describes development of uranium mining on the area of the Czech Republic from the beginning to current state of mining. There are summarized current uranium reserves in the world, with the most important mining areas included. The treatment of uranium ore is described, with its influence on the environment and the remediation of affected mining area. In the last section, the possible ways of uranium usage in the future are mentioned.

Tato bakalářská práce se zabývá současným stavem těžby uranu. Popisuje vývoj těžby uranu na území ČR od počátků až po současný stav těžby. Dále jsou zde shrnuty nynější světové zásoby uranu, včetně uvedení nejvýznamnějších těžebních oblastí. Je popsán způsob zpracování rudy, jeho dopad na životní prostředí a sanace oblasti zasažené těžbou. V poslední části jsou uvedeny možné způsoby využití uranu v budoucnu., This bachelor thesis is engaged in current state of uranium mining. It describes development of uranium mining on the area of the Czech Republic from the beginning to current state of mining. There are summarized current uranium reserves in the world, with the most important mining areas included. The treatment of uranium ore is described, with its influence on the environment and the remediation of affected mining area. In the last section, the possible ways of uranium usage in the future are mentioned.

Tato bakalářská práce se zabývá současným stavem těžby uranu. Popisuje vývoj těžby uranu na území ČR od počátků až po současný stav těžby. Dále jsou zde shrnuty nynější světové zásoby uranu, včetně uvedení nejvýznamnějších těžebních oblastí. Je popsán způsob zpracování rudy, jeho dopad na životní prostředí a sanace oblasti zasažené těžbou. V poslední části jsou uvedeny možné způsoby využití uranu v budoucnu., This bachelor thesis is engaged in current state of uranium mining. It describes development of uranium mining on the area of the Czech Republic from the beginning to current state of mining. There are summarized current uranium reserves in the world, with the most important mining areas included. The treatment of uranium ore is described, with its influence on the environment and the remediation of affected mining area. In the last section, the possible ways of uranium usage in the future are mentioned.