The impact of an uranium mining site on the stream sediments (Crucia mine, Romania)

Abstract : XRF methods were used to evaluate the impact of uranium mine dumps on the stream sediments from Crucea region (Romania). In order to estimate the natural and anthropogenic inputs of radioactive and heavy metals in the sediments, normalization to Al was applied. The pollution degree of the bottom sediments show that U, Th and Pb reach medium and punctual high values, while the rest of the elements appears in concentrations close to the background or lower. The measurements carried out in the surroundings of a local uranium mine show that the impact of Crucea mine on water quality downstream of mining area is insignificant.