RADIATION PROTECTION ›› 2024, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (1): 1-9.

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Research progress on radon migration and coverage control

ZHAO Yong1,2, ZHANG Guifeng3   

  1. 1. School of Resources and Environmental Engineering of Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081;
    2. Department of Nuclear Safety, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing 102413;
    3. School of Resource Environment And Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hunan Hengyang 421001
  • Received:2022-06-30 Online:2024-01-20 Published:2024-02-05

Abstract: With the development of nuclear power, the demand for natural uranium has increased. It has become evident that large volume accumulation of tailing on the ground may cause radon pollution. Therefore it is of great significance on how to effectively reduce the amount of radon exhalation from uranium tailing. Generally, the covering method after ground accumulation is used to reduce the ground environmental hazards caused by uranium tailing. The process of radon migration mainly undergoes two stages of migration in the covered material and the covering material. As a result, studying radon migration law has become a key component in solving the problem. In this paper, foreign and domestic scholars' studies on the factors influencing radon exhalation, radon migration theory, coverage control method and effect, and coverage parameters are summarized and reviewed. The following results are obtained: At present, the exhalation mechanism and influencing factors of radon are presented as comprehensive analysis. But there is a need for further research on the multi-factor coupling mechanism and action process during radon exhalation. Natural and artificially synthesized materials are selected as covering materials, the Natural materials are currently commonly used, in which the addition of bentonite in red soil, sandy sub-clay, and red soil are the good material for radon reduction. However, more research is needed to find covering materials that are effective in controlling radon and have minimal impact on the ecological environment. This paper provides ideas for more effectively eliminating radon pollution from uranium tailing in the future.

Key words: radon migration, covering materials, coverage parameters, pollution, control

CLC Number: 

  • X771