Emergent thallium exposure from uranium mill tailings

Yin，Meiling1; Zhou，Yuting1; Tsang，Daniel C.W.2; Beiyuan，Jingzi3; Song，Lan4; She，Jingye1; Wang，Jin1,5; Zhu，Li1; Fang，Fa1; Wang，Lulu1; Liu，Juan1; Liu，Yanyi1; Song，Gang1,5; Chen，Diyun1,5; Xiao，Tangfu1

2021-04-05

10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124402

JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS   影响因子和分区

0304-3894

1873-3336

Thallium (Tl) pollution caused by the exploitation of uranium (U) mines has long been neglected due to its low crustal abundance. However, Tl may be enriched in minerals of U ore because Tl has both sulfurophile and lithophile properties. Herein, a semi-dynamic leaching experiment combined with statistical analysis, geochemical speciation and multi-characterization provided novel insight into the distinct features and mechanisms of Tl release from uranium mill tailings (UMT). The results showed that particle size effects prevail over the pH on Tl release, and surface dissolution is the pivotal mechanism controlling Tl release based on Fick's diffusion model. The study revealed that long-term leaching and weathering can lead to the increased acid extractable and oxidizable fractions of Tl in UMT, and that the exposure and dissolution of Tl-containing sulfides would largely enhance the flux of Tl release. The findings indicate that UMT containing (abundant) pyrite should be paid particular attention due to Tl exposure. Besides, critical concern over the potential Tl pollution in universal U mining and hydrometallurgical areas likewise may need to be seriously reconsidered.

Thallium Potentially toxic elements Uranium mill tailings Release mechanism Hazardous waste treatment

SCI ; EI

英语

其他

Natural Science Foundation of China[41773011,41873015,41830753,41877290]

Engineering ; Environmental Sciences & Ecology

Engineering, Environmental ; Environmental Sciences

WOS:000613431300011

ELSEVIER

20204609496740

Dissolution ; Particle size analysis ; Pollution ; Thallium ; Waste treatment ; Sulfur compounds ; Uranium ; Leaching ; Pyrites

Industrial Wastes Treatment and Disposal:452.4 ; Minor, Precious and Rare Earth Metals and Alloys:547 ; Nonferrous Metals and Alloys excluding Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metals:549.3 ; Radioactive Materials, General:622.1 ; Chemical Operations:802.3 ; Materials Science:951

ENGINEERING

Web of Science

1.Key Laboratory of Water Quality and Conservation in the Pearl River Delta,Ministry of Education,School of Environmental Science and Engineering,Guangzhou University,Guangzhou,510006,China
2.Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,The Hong Kong Polytechnic University,Kowloon,Hung Hom,Hong Kong
3.School of Environment and Chemical Engineering,Foshan University,Foshan,China
4.Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control,School of Environmental Science and Engineering,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,518055,China
5.Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radionuclides Pollution Control and Resources,Guangzhou,510006,China

Yin，Meiling,Zhou，Yuting,Tsang，Daniel C.W.,et al. Emergent thallium exposure from uranium mill tailings[J]. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS,2021,407.

Yin，Meiling.,Zhou，Yuting.,Tsang，Daniel C.W..,Beiyuan，Jingzi.,Song，Lan.,...&Xiao，Tangfu.(2021).Emergent thallium exposure from uranium mill tailings.JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS,407.

Yin，Meiling,et al."Emergent thallium exposure from uranium mill tailings".JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 407(2021).