Distribution of Uranium-Bearing Phases in Soils From Fernald

Abstract

ABSTRACTElectron beam techniques have been used to characterize uranium-contaminated soils at the Fernald Site, Ohio. Uranium particulates have been deposited on the soil through chemical spills and from the operation of an incinerator plant on the site. The major uranium phases have been identified by electron microscopy as uraninite, autunite, and uranium phosphite [U(PO3)4]. Some of the uranium has undergone weathering resulting in the redistribution of uranium within the soil.