Laboruntersuchungen zur Freisetzung von Unat aus einem Gestein unter oxischen naturnahen Bedingungen

Kurzfassung Im Labor wurden verschiedene Größen (pH-Wert, HCO ₃ —Gehalt, Präsenz von Fe(OH) ₃ ) untersucht, von denen angenommen werden konnte, dass sie die umweltrelevante Freisetzung von Uran aus Gesteinen (z. B. Haufwerken, Halden, Tailings) im neutralen und schwach basischen pH-Bereich (6 bis 9) beeinflussen. Hierzu wurde der Austrag von U _nat aus einem schwach vererzten Urangestein (2,31 %) in Batchversuchen untersucht. Diese Versuche wurden mit 8, 10 oder 40 g/l Gestein und Leitungs- bzw. Mineralwasser durchgeführt. Zum Vergleich wurden parallele Standversuche in deionisiertem Wasser, 0,1 M Na ₂ CO ₃ und 0,1 M H ₂ SO ₄ durchgeführt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen eine Begünstigung der Uranfreisetzung in Anwesenheit von Carbonat (gelöst oder in situ durch Dolomitauflösung entstanden), während die Rolle des Pyrits auf die Freisetzung deutlich komplexer ist. Das Erreichen eines Gleichgewichtszustands kann unter Umständen durch sorptive Einflüsse verzögert werden.

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Investigations for the release of U_nat from ore bearing rock under natural near oxic conditions

Abstract The effects of carbonate concentration and the presence of iron hydroxide phases on uranium release into the environment were investigated under oxic conditions and in the pH range from 6 to 9. For this purpose not-shaken batch experiments were conducted with a constant amount (8, 10 or 40 g/l) of a uranium bearing rock and different types of water (deionised, tap and mineral water). For comparison parallel experiments were conducted with 0.1 M Na ₂ CO ₃ and 0.1 M H ₂ SO ₄ . The use of dolomite confirmed the favourable role of carbonate bearing minerals for U transport while the presence of pyrite on Uranium mobilisation was shown to be considerably more complex. This study shows that the approach of equilibrium conditions can be strongly delayed by sorption processes.

     

Reliability of corrosion-damaged steel structures using interval probability theory

Engineering decisions concerning the performance of existing structures must be made in the presence of uncertainties. The remaining capacity of corroded steel structures provides a good example of different aspects of uncertainty. These include: an unknown or partially known extent of damage; a variability in loading and an uncertain reserve of structural capacity depending on the mode of failure. The theory of structural reliability has been developed to provide a method of analysis for structural safety. In this paper, methods are proposed to compute the component reliability of corrosion-damaged steel members. The application of a recently developed theory called interval probability theory for system reliability is illustrated using the data obtained from actual samples of corroded beams.     

Gravity driven counterflow through an open door in a sealed room

Flow measurements using tracer gas techniques were made on the exterior doorway of a test house for indoor-outdoor temperature differences of 0.5–45 K. The time for door opening and closing was constant at 3.75 s, and fully open hold time varied from 0.5 s to 120 s. Predictions of a variable density steady flow model were in good agreement with the measurements when adjustments were made for the time-varying size of the opening and for the effect of cross-stream mixing between the incoming and outgoing air streams. The flow rate is shown to be governed by an effective density very close to the average of inflow and outflow densities, and the control condition at the doorway is fixed by the jet-like behavior of the inflow stream. Dependence of cross-stream mixing on interfacial stability caused the orifice and coefficient to increase from 0.4 to 0.6 as temperature difference increased. This varying orifice coefficient is well represented by the combination of a discharge coefficient for streamline contraction combined with a mixing coefficient which accounts for mixing between the inflow and outflow.     

Separation of physical loading from photosynthesis/respiration processes in rivers by mass balance

Diurnal variations in physical and chemical concentrations, including nutrients, are observed in river ecosystems. Understanding these cycles and separating the effects of physical loading (from point and non-point sources) and biogeochemical processes are necessary for water management and the TMDL process. A chloride mass balance approach is used to separate the relative influences of physical loading and biogeochemical processes in the Bow River through Calgary, Canada, which has a significant influence on the river water chemistry. Sampling campaigns were conducted in December 2005, when minimal photosynthesis and respiration occur, and in July 2006, when river discharge is high and some photosynthesis and respiration activity is present. Samples in each campaign were collected at point source input and output along the river reach through the city every hour for a 24-hour period, allowing for time of travel. The two wastewater treatment facilities within the city contributed the majority of physical mass loading to the river, with temporal variations in effluent discharge, chloride, and nutrient concentrations. Wastewater effluent chloride to nutrient (as well as other parameter relationships) concentrations also varied diurnally. An hourly chloride mass balance was achieved, within 0.5% (average, S.D.=4.4) for December and 7.7% (average, S.D.=4.2) for July, between estimated cumulative sum values from all inputs and measured values at the river output downgradient of the city, allowing for the investigation of other parameter conservativeness. Some slight diurnal variations associated with photosynthesis and respiration were observed even with limited productivity in the river. Nitrate mass fluxes appeared to be most strongly influenced by photosynthesis and respiration processes, with phosphate being less influenced. Ammonia mass fluxes appeared to be most strongly influenced by wastewater effluent loading. Physical loading can mask or enhance biogeochemical diurnal fluctuations, creating errors in river process interpretations. Chloride was a useful tracer in the mass balance to distinguish between and assist in separating physical loading and biogeochemical processes in the river.     

Lead contamination in tap water of households with children in Lower Saxony, Germany

Lead has numerous acute and chronic adverse effects on human beings. This is especially true for infants and children. The main path of lead ingestion in children can be different according to housing and living situation. The intake of lead through drinking water is commonly due to metal corrosion. The users plumbing can be an important factor. In recent years, many lead pipes in Germany have been replaced by pipes made of an alternative material. The aim of this study is to assess the present state of drinking water contamination and the resulting exposure of infants to lead. For this purpose mothers of new-born babies were offered a free examination of their drinking water. After a written declaration of consent had been obtained and after the infant in question had reached an age of 3 months, a stagnation sample of cold tap-water after overnight stagnation together with a random daytime sample was obtained from the family. The collected samples were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry for their lead concentration. In total, 1485 samples from households were collected. Of the 1434 stagnation samples, 3.1% had lead concentrations greater than 0.01 mg/l (recommended limit of the WHO) and 0.6% had concentrations above the limit of the German drinking water regulation (0.04 mg/l). The values for the 1474 random daytime samples were 2.1% above 0.01 mg/l and 0.2% greater than 0.04 mg/l, respectively. By region, the areas Bovenden, Friedland, Duderstadt, Northeim and Rosdorf were particularly affected. The highest measured concentrations of lead in the stagnation samples were 0.11 mg/l and 0.15 mg/l in the random daytime samples, respectively.     

An experimental behaviour of concrete-filled steel tubular columns

In this paper results of tests conducted on 27 concrete-filled steel tubular columns are reported. The test parameters were the column slenderness, the load eccentricity covering axially and eccentrically loaded columns with single or double curvature bending and the compressive strength of the concrete core. The test results demonstrate the influence of these parameters on the strength and behaviour of concrete-filled steel tubular columns. A comparison of experimental failure loads with the predicted failure loads in accordance with the method described in Eurocode 4 Part 1.1 showed good agreement for axially and eccentrically loaded columns with single curvature bending whereas for columns with double curvature bending the Eurocode loads were higher and on the unsafe side. More tests are needed for the case of double curvature bending.