A study to model the effects of uranium mine tailings on a permafrost environment

The one-dimensional model for a vertical column of the tailings simulates the daily temperature and moisture profiles using inputs of air temperature, precipitation, solar radiation and lateral inflow to the tailings. If the tailings are flooded, the model simulates the ice cover and the effects of the floodwater upon the thermal regime. Crucial for permafrost areas, is the coupling of the water and energy fluxes. Energy is used to melt the snow, evaporate the water, and through thawing of the active layer, provide storage capacity of the groundwater. Water and ice distributed within and on the tailings affect the surface albedo, the thermal properties of the soil which in turn alters the rates of heat conduction, frost penetration and thawing front propagation. A thick frozen zone ensures little groundwater leakage, but the lack of storage capacity often leads to surface outflow that may transfer contaminants out of the tailings. Detailed descriptions of different components of the model are given in the programmer's manual including program listing and a definition of the parameter values. -from Authors