Solubility of radionuclide species from uranium mill tailings

The present report describes solubility of different radionuclides, especially Ra-226, from uranium mill tailings. The solubility in water has been studied in both column and shake flask leaching tests. The test material used came from a uranium deposit at Lilljuthatten in the Swedish province of Jamtland. The results of the study show that neutralization sludge and/or fine particles have an adsorbing capacity on Ra-226. Furthermore, by adding barium sulphate to the tailings pile a substantial decrease of Ra-226 in the water could be observed. (author)