This study will evaluate the effectiveness of injecting hydrogen into the subsurface at a uranium mining site to promote in-situ reduction and immobilization of uranium.  Approximately 15,000 gallons of groundwater will be pumped to the surface and then re-injected into the subsurface while being supplied with dissolved hydrogen using a down-hole membrane gas infusion device. The groundwater will be pumped back to the surface after several months to evaluate the extent to which dissolved uranium has been removed.  It is hypothesized that the supply of dissolved hydrogen will stimulate microbial reduction of dissolved uranium from a soluble U6+ form to an insoluble U4+ form.  Specific objectives of this study include: (1) assessing the feasibility of injecting dissolved hydrogen using the membrane gas-transfer device; and (2) assessing whether injecting dissolved hydrogen can promote immobilization of dissolved uranium in to concentrations below those observed prior to the initiation of mining activity.

Down-hole membrane hydrogen infusion to stimulate uranium reduction and immobilization at an ISR uranium mining site

248th National Meeting (2014)

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