Storage of Uranium in a River Channel Network Impacted by Legacy Mine Pollution

Most mining activities take place near the upper reaches of rivers and therefore mine wastes and pollution inevitably enter the water course and the contamination of rivers, floodplains and estuaries has arisen as a result. Even long after the mining activity has finished legacy mine pollution can still persist. This study examines the contamination and distribution of uranium within a floodplain affected by legacy mine pollution from the South Terras Uranium Mine. The study area is located on a floodplain just south of Trewarthenick Estate in Cornwall on the River Fal, UK. Five 50cm sediment cores were extracted from the floodplain, sectioned into 1cm segments before being grinded and sieved to