The concentration of uranium naturally in the soil of Salt Lake County Utah can vary from &gt; .1 ppm to 3 ppm according to the U.S Geological survey. The concentration of thorium is slightly higher, averaging 8 ppm. Salt Lake County, however, has one of the largest copper mines in the world, producing large amounts of tailings contaminated with uranium, and thorium. These tailings when mixed with rain water can mobilize the uranium enough to travel to the main water ways in the Salt Lake Valley. Salt Lake County also was home to the Vitro uranium mill that produced tailings with high amounts of thorium, and radium. The Vitro uranium mill was located close to two water sources, the Jordan river and the Millcreek river near Salt Lake City, Utah. The tailings from the uranium mill were produced from 1951-1959; however, they were not contained or removed until 1987. For 36 years, these tailings were able to be spread to the surrounding area by wind as well as rain water. The tailings were also open to the public and used by residents as backfill in their own yards. Sediment samples were collected form Daybreak Lake, the Jordan river, the Millcreek river, and the Great Salt Lake. These samples were then analyzed for the amount of uranium, thorium, and radium by XRF. Other more quantitative methods are being investigated.

Survey of radiogenic metals in Salt Lake County, Utah

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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