Isotopes of uranium in the waters of mine tailings Kadzhi-Sai

  • Ilona Matveyeva al-Farabi Kazakh National University
  • Sholpan Nazarkulova al-Farabi Kazakh National University
  • Bolat Uralbekov al-Farabi Kazakh National University
  • Tamara Tuzova Institute of Water Problems and Hydropower of National Academy of Sciences of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek
  • Gulsana Amanova al-Farabi Kazakh National University
  • Eleman Mambetaliyev Central-Asian Institute of Research of the Earth, Bishkek
Keywords: Kadji-Sai, uranium isotopes, mine, uranium-isotope ratio, genetic composition of water

Abstract

The paper presents the results of the determination of uranium isotopes in the water objects of the region Kadzhi-Sai, where former uranium mine, concentrating plant and tailing with a total volume of 400,000 m3 are located. Determination of uranium isotopes was done by alpha-spectrometry method with previous radiochemical preparation (coprecipitation on iron hydroxide, extraction with tributyl phosphate and electrodeposition on stainless steel disk) on alpha-spectrometer of «Canberra». On the basis of experimental data, the ratios of uranium-234 to uranium-238 were calculated, uranium isotope chart of determination of genetic composition of water were built and investigated. During the work three genetic types of waters were established: waters of deep circulation, waters of uranium anomalies draining tailing, and waters of active water exchange of the region. Their mixing proportions in the investigated water sources were calculated. It was found that drinking waters of Kadzhi-Sai village consist of only 5-7% of waters enriched by uranium; the major part (60-80%) is waters of deep circulation.

 

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Published
2015-12-30
How to Cite
Matveyeva, I., Nazarkulova, S., Uralbekov, B., Tuzova, T., Amanova, G., & Mambetaliyev, E. (2015). Isotopes of uranium in the waters of mine tailings Kadzhi-Sai. Chemical Bulletin of Kazakh National University, 80(4), 60-67. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.15328/cb600