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GEOCHEMISTRY OF DEPLETED URANIUM AND URANIUM MILL TAILINGS IN LIBYA
Volume (2), Issue (1) , June 2026
Published: 06/30/2026
Abstract: A refined metal by-product of uranium enrichment, depleted uranium (DU) is utilized in ammunition and shielding because of its high density. The sandy waste residue left over from milling ore that contains chemical waste and radioactive decay products is known as uranium mill tailings (UMT) and is kept in dedicated ponds. Geochemistry of depleted uranium and uranium mill tailings is a crucial subject in radioecology and environmental geochemistry in Libya. Assessing environmental pollution, tracking radioactive waste leaks, and evaluating health concerns should be the primary goals of investigating depleted uranium and uranium mill tailings in Libya. Finding soil/groundwater pollution, assessing the long-term effects of radioactive waste, and looking into reported health problems including cancer risks should all be included in the evaluation. The following factors primarily influence how depleted uranium and uranium mill tailings behave in Libya: (1) Arid climate; (2) Reducing conditions; (3) pH; (4) Carbonate concentration; and (5) Mineralogy (phosphate versus sulfate phases).
Keywords: Depleted Uranium, Uranium Mill Tailings, Environmental Geochemistry, Radioecology,
Libya.
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