Radon data and time-lapse photos collected outside the Pinenut uranium mine, Arizona, 2015-16

Publication Date

2018-08-01

Start Date

2015

End Date

2016

Naftz, D.L., Walton-Day, K., Gardner, W.P., Duniway, M.C., and Bills, D.J., 2018, Radon data and time-lapse photos collected outside the Pinenut uranium mine, Arizona, 2015-16: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F79Z946T.

In 2012 the U.S. Secretary of the Interior approved a 20-year withdrawal of approximately 405,000 hectares of Federal land in northern Arizona to protect Grand Canyon National Park and the associated watershed from potentially adverse effects of mineral exploration and development. A key factor in the withdrawal decision was the limited amount of scientific data available to assess potential mineral extraction impacts. One of these unknowns was off-site levels of radon (Rn-air) potentially associated with uranium mining and reclamation activities. The Pinenut mine is one of the four approved underground mines that were allowed to operate during the withdrawal period. This exemption provided an opportunity to monitor off-site Rn-air concentration during mining and initial reclamation activities that occurred in 2015-16. In addition to the Rn-air monitoring data, a time-lapse camera was installed in close proximity to the uranium ore pile. Time-lapse photos were used to provide qualitative estimates of ore-pile size and human-induced disturbances (e.g. heavy equipment) during the mining and reclamation process. An on-site meteorological station was used to monitor wind speed, wind direction, and air temperature during the Rn-air monitoring.

• USGS Data Release Products