Characterisation of Uranium Mining and Tailings Pond Areas by Integrated Remote Sensing, Geophysical, Geological and Hydrogeological Methods

Brindha, K and Elango, L and Rajesh, R (2020) Characterisation of Uranium Mining and Tailings Pond Areas by Integrated Remote Sensing, Geophysical, Geological and Hydrogeological Methods. In: Journal of the Geological Society of India, 95 (4). pp. 377-384.

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Abstract

Remote sensing, geophysical, geological and hydrogeological methods were used to characterise the aquifer of a proposed uranium mining and tailings pond area in India. Examination of lithologs show uranium occurrence at the Eparchaean unconformity at a depth of about 50 to 60 m below the surface. Resistivity studies showed four distinct zones- top soil, highly weathered, moderately weathered/fractured rock and massive rock. Wells tap groundwater from the weathered and fractured zones. Highly weathered nature of the intrusives, dykes and faults do not allow them to act as barriers to groundwater flow. Rainfall is the major source of groundwater recharge apart from irrigation return flow. Recharge to unconfined aquifers is primarily by downward seepage of rainfall through the unsaturated zone. Groundwater flows towards southeast. Pumping tests resulted in hydraulic conductivity of this aquifer ranging from 5.4 to 19.3 m/d. Infiltration rates were obtained at 1.5 and 2.3 m/d for clayey residual unconsolidated materials and 3.7 and 5.2 m/d for sandy residual unconsolidated materials. Secondary data were used to verify the results of field tests and investigations. Results from this study were also successfully used in radionuclide and geochemical modelling of the effects of leaching from the tailings pond on groundwater quality and its impact on human health. This detailed study provides a wider understanding of the sub-surface characteristics of the proposed uranium mining and tailings pond area which offers useful information for future research and development activities.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Journal of the Geological Society of India
Publisher:	SPRINGER INDIA
Additional Information:	The copyright of this article belongs to SPRINGER INDIA
Keywords:	aquifer; geological survey; geophysical survey; groundwater flow; hydrogeology; mining; remote sensing; research and development; seepage; tailings; uranium, India
Department/Centre:	Division of Interdisciplinary Sciences > Interdisciplinary Centre for Water Research
Date Deposited:	11 Aug 2020 06:02
Last Modified:	11 Aug 2020 06:02
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/65292

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