Monday, April 29, 2013: 5:00 p.m.
Regency West 4 (Hyatt Regency San Antonio)
Mike Wireman, U.S. EPA
Borys Yurievych Kornilovych, National Technical University of Ukraine
During Soviet times uranium mining and processing in Ukraine significantly increased the human health risk associated with exposure to heavy metals and radionuclides. One of the largest uranium ore provinces in Ukraine occurs in the Kryvyi Rig basin. Zhovty Vody, the largest city in this region, is home to numerous uranium processing facilities.
Concentrations of heavy metals and uranium in groundwater in the vicinity of Zhovty Vody are high: Mn-0.10 mg/l; Pb-0.19 mg/l; Cd-0.013 mg/l; U-0.35 mg/l. Dominant anions in groundwater include sulfates and nitrates. Concentrations exceed maximum concentration limits. High concentrations of heavy metals and uranium also occur in soils adjacent to the tailings facility.
A relatively new in-situ method for remediating groundwater is a permeable reactive barrier (PRB) that is constructed in the subsurface to intercept and treat contaminated groundwater. The USEPA has cooperated with the Science and Technology Center of Ukraine, the Kiev Polytechnic University and the Ukrainian Planning and Surveying Institute of Industrial Technologies to design, pilot test and install a PRB downgradient from a uranium tailings storage facility.
The PRB was installed in October 2011. Three types of treatment material are being tested simultaneously: inorganic reactive material (zero-valent-iron) and two biologically active materials (sulfate-reducing-bacteria with phosphate material). Groundwater sampling was conducted to determine concentrations of heavy metals and uranium upgradient and downgradient of the PRB. Over a one year period the concentration of uranium in groundwater was unchanged after flowing through the biologically active materials, probably due to low content of microorganisms in soils. Uranium concentrations in groundwater flowing through the inorganic material decreased from 0.35 mg/l to 0.1mg/l which demonstrate the effectiveness of zero-valent-iron.
| Mike Wireman
, U.S. EPA
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Michael Wireman is employed by the U.S. EPA where he serves as a National Groundwater Expert. He has a master’s degree in hydrogeology from Western Michigan University. In his current position he provides technical and scientific support to several EPA programs, other federal agencies, International programs, and to state groundwater programs. Wireman has significant experience in the legal, scientific, and programmatic aspects of groundwater management. He is a member of the Colorado Ground Water Association, the National Ground Water Association, the Geological Society of America, and is the Chair of the North American Chapter of the International Association of Hydrogeologists.
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| Borys Yurievych Kornilovych
, National Technical University of Ukraine
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Boris Kornilovych (15/08/1950) - Doctor of Science (Chemistry, 1992), Professor (2002), Corresponding Member of National Academy of Sciences (NAS)of Ukraine (2003).
Graduated from the National Technical University of Ukraine (1973), Engineer and Scientific Worker of the Institute of Colloid and Water Chemistry of NASU of Ukraine (1973-1988); Vice Director of that Institute (1988-2007); Head of the Chair of Chemical Technology of the National Technical University of Ukraine (2005 - Present); Head of the Department of Environmental Chemistry of NAS of Ukraine.
Fields of interests and activities - chemical and environmental technology. Publication, more 400 papers and Patents.
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