Mitigation of Uranium Mining Impacts—A Review on Groundwater Remediation Technologies

Groundwater contamination is one of the most concerning issues from uranium mining activities. Radionuclides cannot be destroyed or degraded, unlike some organic contaminants (and similar to metals). Besides, sites, where radionuclides may found, are mainly radioactive and mixed waste disposal areas, therefore many other also present in groundwater. The state-of-the-art environmental technology continually changing, thus a review on technologies application utmost relevance. This work gives an overview available remediation for groundwater contaminated with resulting mining. For each technology, theoretical background provided; state development, limitations, efficiency, potential adverse effects approached. Examples performance monitoring progress described, criteria selection appropriate given. effective will always site-specific as result multitude geographic operational factors that influence effluent quality impact technical feasibility treatment methods. Ion exchange, chemical precipitation, membrane filtration have been considered by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) best demonstrated radium removal. Several (technological aspects non-technical factors), but even industrial proven, two important challenges remain; (still) mobile generation secondary wastes. constantly evolving, future advancement depends rigorously monitored, documented results achieved. Therefore, approached this paper no means exhaustive.