Characterizing groundwater flow in a former uranium mine (Bertholène, France): Present status and future considerations

Bertholène is a former uranium mine in Aveyron, where tailings and waste rocks are stored natural valley. This results acid drainage (AMD) at the outlet of storage facility (TSF), there dedicated water treatment plant. A detailed data analysis was conducted using from 13 piezometers long-term monitoring local climate. 3D model developed MODFLOW to understand groundwater flows catchment scale identify flow paths contamination sources within TSF. Previous geochemical modeling TSFs had indicated that AMD expected occur for 50–100 years, therefore site must be managed with view. As climate change may affect not only recharge but also frequency intensity extreme events, its impact on balance levels has studied next 100 years. Data provides information about unsaturated conditions tailings. Then calculations TSF validate contribution two different zones. Modeling estimation supports current functioning catchment. The study events shows table should permanently reach over century.