Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-fv566 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-17T04:56:01.452Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Remedial Action for Radioactive Waste Rock Piles in China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 March 2011

Chen Zhangru ,
Jin Yuanxin ,
Song Lanying  and
Wu Qingyan
Chen Zhangru
Affiliation:
Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology, CNNC, Beijing 100029, China
Jin Yuanxin
Affiliation:
Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology, CNNC, Beijing 100029, China
Song Lanying
Affiliation:
Bureau of Geology, CNNC, Beijing 100013, China
Wu Qingyan
Affiliation:
Bureau of Geology, CNNC, Beijing 100013, China
Get access

Abstract

The Chinese government has conducted remedial action for radioactive waste rock piles since 1990. The radioactive waste rocks produced in the course of geological exploration of uranium deposits are widely distributed over several hundreds of locations in more than 20 provinces in China.

The following remedial actions for radioactive waste rock piles have been undertaken in China:

1. Protecting dams for stabilizing the piles have been built. A total length of about 50,000 m of these dams has been completed.

2. Soil layers have been emplaced on the radioactive waste rock piles. The focus of the action is to eliminate the radiation harmful to public health. A total area of 750,000 square meters of soil ahs been placed on the piles in China.

3. Radioactive waste rock piles have been vegetated. Aesthetic shaping of the landscape in the exploratory district of the uranium deposits is our expectant goal. A total area of about 560,000 square meters of vegetation has been placed on the soil covering the piles.

Through these remedial actions, the environmental situation has been extensively improved in the remedial districts. The individual annual effective dose equivalent is less than 1 Sv/a. The radon emission rate is less than 20 pCi/m2.s. The gamma ray external exposure rate has been greatly reduced.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 663: Symposium – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste management XXIV , 2000 , 1009
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2001

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Whitehead, W., “Decommissioning of Uranium Mines and Mills – Canadian Regulatory Approach and Experience”, UBFO-0219 Atomic Energy Control Board, Ottawa, Canada (1986).Google Scholar
2.Uranium Mill Tailings Study Panel, “Scientific Basis for Risk Assessment and Management of Uranium Mill Tailings”, DOE/DP/93032-T1, National Academy Press (1986).Google Scholar
3. Yingjie, Pan, “Approach on Disposal Technique of Uranium Waste Rocks, Tailings in China”, Proceedings of Symposium of Second Radioactive Waste Management in China (1990).Google Scholar
4. China Bureau of Technology Supervise, “Regulations for Radiation and Environment Protection in Uranium Geology”, GB 15848-1995 (1996).Google Scholar