Science for Decision Making on Uranium Mining in Arizona

Arsenic in groundwater in the Grand Canyon region and an evaluation of potential pathways for arsenic contamination of groundwater from breccia pipe uranium mining

By Fred D. Tillman, Kimberly R. Beisner, and Casey J. R. Jones

PLoS Water (2023)

Anthropogenic influence on groundwater geochemistry in Horn Creek drainage near the Orphan Mine in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA

By Kimberly R. Beisner, Collin Davidson, and Fred Tillman

Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis

Aquatic insect accumulation of uranium at spring outflows in the Grand Canyon region as influenced by aqueous and sediment geochemistry and biological factors: implications for monitoring

By Daniel J. Cain, Marie-Noële Croteau, Christopher C. Fuller, Kimberly R. Beisner, Kate M. Campbell, Deborah L. Stoliker, and Edward R. Schenk

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment

Utilizing anthropogenic compounds and geochemical tracers to identify preferential structurally controlled groundwater pathways influencing springs in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA

By Kimberly R. Beisner, Nicholas V. Paretti, Jeramy R. Jasmann, and Larry B. Barber

Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies

Laboratory simulation of groundwater along uranium-mining-affected flow paths near the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA

By Bern, C., Campbell, K., Walton-Day, K., and Van Gosen, B.

Mine Water and the Environment, volume 41, 370–386

Gravity surveys for estimating possible width of enhanced porosity zones across structures on the Coconino Plateau, Coconino County, north-central Arizona

By Libby Wildermuth

U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2022–5031

Conceptual models of groundwater flow in the Grand Canyon region, Arizona

By Jake Knight and Peter Huntoon

U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigation Report 2022–5037

Chemistry data for assessment of the containment pond at Pinyon Plain Mine, 2021

By Danielle Cleveland and Jo Ellen Hinck

U.S. Geological Survey data release

Elemental and radionuclide exposures and uptakes by small rodents, invertebrates, and vegetation at active and post-production uranium mines in the Grand Canyon watershed

By Danielle Cleveland, Jo Ellen Hinck, and Julia S. Lankton

Chemosphere, vol. 263

Terrestrial ecological risk analysis via dietary exposure at uranium mine sites in the Grand Canyon watershed (Arizona, USA)

By Hinck, J.E., Cleveland, D., Sample. B.S.

Chemosphere, vol. 265

Invisible: Radon Gas at the Pinenut Uranium Mine

By Walton-Day, K., Wendel, J.R. Hinck, J., Naftz, D.L., and Qi, S.L.

U.S. Geological Survey Geonarrative

Seasonal activity and diets of bats at uranium mines and adjacent areas near the Grand Canyon

By Valdez, E.W., Hanttula, M.K., and Hinck, J.E.

Western North American Naturalist: Vol. 81 :1-18

Soil sample data for four uranium mine sites, Mohave County, Arizona, April and November 2018

By Kauble, R.K., Andraski, B.J., Green, C.T., and Walton-Day, K.

U.S. Geological Survey Data Release

Elements in elk tissues harvested in pre-uranium mining and non-mining areas, 2019

By Cleveland, D.M. and Hinck, J.E.

U.S. Geological Survey Data Release

U-Pb age determinations of uraninite by electron microprobe analyses of ore samples from two solution-collapse breccia pipe uranium deposits, Grand Canyon region, northwest Arizona, USA

By Barton, I.F., Barton, M.D., and Van Gosen, B.S.

U.S. Geological Survey Data Release

An assessment of uranium in groundwater in the Grand Canyon region

By Tillman, F.D, Beisner, K.R., Anderson, J.R., and Unema, J.A.

Scientific Reports, v. 11:22157

Breccia pipe uranium mine bird survey data, Grand Canyon region, 2014-2015

By Albers, J.L., Wildhaber, M.L., Green, N.S., Hinck, J.E., Gatlin, B., and Langston, S.

U.S. Geological Survey Data Release

Interactive map of uranium in groundwater in the Grand Canyon region

By Fred Tillman, Jennifer Villa, Joseph Vrabel, Alexis Lamberts, and Florence Thompson

U.S. Geological Survey Web site

Data from “Gravity surveys for estimating possible width of enhanced porosity zones across structures on the Coconino Plateau, Coconino County, north-central Arizona

By Libby Wildermuth

U.S. Geological Survey data release

Chemistry data for assessment of the containment pond at Pinyon Plain Mine, 2020

By Danielle Cleveland and Jo Ellen Hinck

U.S. Geological Survey data release

Natural and anthropogenic processes affecting radon releases during mining and early stage reclamation activities, Pinenut uranium mine, Arizona, USA

By David L. Naftz, Katie Walton-Day, W. Payton Gardner, Michael C. Duniway, and Donald Bills

Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 220-221 (2020) 106266

Geochemical characterization of groundwater evolution south of Grand Canyon, Arizona (USA)

By Kimberly R. Beisner, John E. Solder, Fred D. Tillman, Jessica R. Anderson, and Ronald C. Antweiler

Hydrogeology Journal (2020)

Uranium Bioaccumulation Dynamics in the Mayfly Neocloeon triangulifer and Application to Site-Specific Prediction

By Brianna L. Henry, Marie-Noële Croteau, David M. Walters, Janet L. Miller, Daniel J. Cain, and Christopher C. Fuller

Environ. Sci. Technol. 2020, 54, 18, 11313–11321

Geochemical and X-ray diffraction analyses of drill core samples from the Canyon uranium-copper deposit, a solution-collapse breccia pipe, Grand Canyon area, Coconino County, Arizona

By Bradley S. Van Gosen, William M. Benzel, and Kate M. Campbell

U.S. Geological Survey Data Release

Geochemical and mineralogical analyses of uranium ores from the Hack II and Pigeon deposits, solution-collapse breccia pipes, Grand Canyon region, Mohave and Coconino Counties, Arizona, USA

By Van Gosen, B.S., Benzel, W.M., Kane, T.J., and Lowers, H.A.

U.S. Geological Survey Data Release

Improving Wildlife Surveys Through Environmental DNA

By Katy Klymus

This SciPod is a summary of the paper "Metabarcoding of Environmental DNA Samples to Explore the Use of Uranium Mine Containment Ponds as a Water Source for Wildlife", from Diversity, 2017.

To understand how human activities impact wildlife, biologists need to know which species are present within a given area. Traditional methods of surveying species are often labour intensive, time consuming, and expensive. However, recent advancements in genetic analysis may provide powerful new survey tools to complement existing methods. Through her research, Dr Katy Klymus at the US Geological Survey tests the efficacy of one such tool, environmental DNA metabarcoding, for identifying wildlife affected by contaminated water sources.

Mineralogical analyses of drill core samples from the Canyon uranium-copper deposit, a solution-collapse breccia pipe, Grand Canyon area, Coconino County, Arizona, USA

By Van Gosen, B.S., Benzel, W.M., Lowers, H.A., and Campbell, K.M.

U.S. Geological Survey Data Release

Rethinking groundwater flow on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, USA: Characterizing recharge sources and flow paths with environmental tracers

By Solder, J.E., Beisner, K.R., Anderson, J., and Bills, D.J.

Hydrogeology Journal (2020)

Critical evaluation of stable isotope mixing end-members for estimating groundwater recharge sources: Case study from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA

By Solder, J.E., and Beisner, K.R.

Hydrogeology Journal (2020)

Water quality data from select spring and stream sites and water and sediment quality data from major tributaries of the Colorado River in Grand Canyon, Northern Arizona

By Unema, J.A., Anderson, J.R., Chapin, T.P., and Tillman, F.D.

U.S. Geological Survey Data Release

Assessing uranium and select trace elements associated with breccia pipe uranium deposits in the Colorado River and main tributaries in Grand Canyon, USA

By Tillman, F.D, Anderson, J.R., Unema, J.A., and Chapin, T.P.

PLoS ONE (2020)

Chemical analyses and histopathology of organisms and plants collected from breccia pipe uranium mine sites in the Grand Canyon watershed, 2015-2020

By Cleveland, D.M., Hinck, J.E., and Lankton, J.S.

U.S. Geological Survey Data Release

Vegetation cover and composition data in environments surrounding uranium mines in the Grand Canyon ecosystem

By Mann, R.K. and Duniway, M.C.

U.S. Geological Survey Data Release

Precipitation and acoustic monitoring results associated with Arizona 1 and Pinenut uranium mines collected 2015–2016

By Valdez, E.W., Hanttula, M.K., and Hinck, J.E.

U.S. Geological Survey Data Release

Data for the assessment of the containment pond at Canyon Mine, Arizona, 2019

By Danielle Cleveland and Jo Ellen Hinck

U.S. Geological Survey data release

Improved enrichment factor calculations through principal component analysis: examples from soils near breccia pipe uranium mines, Arizona, USA

By C.R. Bern, K Walton-Day, and D.L. Naftz

Environmental Pollution, 248, p. 90-100

Assessment of chronic low-dose elemental and radiological exposure of biota at the Kanab North uranium mine site in the Grand Canyon watershed

By D.M. Cleveland, J.E. Hinck, and J.S. Lankton

Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management 15:112-125.

Biota dose assessment of small rodents sampled near breccia pipe uranium mines in the Grand Canyon watershed

By K.M. Minter, G.T. Jannik, J.E. Hinck, D. Cleveland, W.P. Kubilius, and W.W. Kuhne

Health Physics 117:20-27 doi: 10.1097/HP.0000000000001041

Surface Materials Data from Breccia-Pipe Uranium Mine and Reference Sites, Arizona, USA

By K. Walton-Day, C.R. Bern, D.L. Naftz, T.A. Gross, and P.M. O'Shea

U.S. Geological Survey data release

Data for assessment of the containment pond at Canyon Mine 2017-2018

By Danielle Cleveland and Jo Ellen Hinck

U.S. Geological Survey data release

Chemical analyses of small rodents, vegetation, and soil collected from the Kanab North breccia pipe uranium mine in the Grand Canyon watershed

By D.M. Cleveland, J.E. Hinck, and J.S. Lankton

U.S. Geological Survey data release

Results from radiochemical analyses of small rodent whole bodies collected from breccia pipe uranium mines and reference locations in the Grand Canyon watershed

By D.M. Cleveland and J.E. Hinck

U.S. Geological Survey data release

Biogeochemical data of water, sediments, periphyton, and macroinvertebrates collected from springs in and near Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona (ver. 2.0, December 2019)

By Fuller, C.C., Cain, D.J., Croteau, M-N., Barasch, D.A., Beisner, K.R., Stoliker, D.L., and Schenk, E.R.

U.S. Geological Survey data release

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

By D.L. Naftz, K. Walton-Day, W.P. Gardner, M.C. Duniway, and D.J. Bills

U.S. Geological Survey data release

Images of Particulate Matter in Lung Tissue from Ground Dwelling Mammals from the Grand Canyon Uranium Breccia Pipe Region

By Heather A. Lowers

U.S. Geological Survey Data Release

Chemistry data for assessment of the containment pond at Canyon Mine, Arizona 2017

By Danielle Cleveland and Jo Ellen Hinck

U.S. Geological Survey data release

Metabarcoding with environmental DNA to identify wildlife species potentially attracted to uranium mine detention ponds as a water source in the arid southwest US

By K.E. Klymus, C.A. Richter, N. Thompson and J.E. Hinck

Abstract (pg. 75), International Barcode of Life Conference. November 20-24, 2017 Kruger National Park, South Africa

Metabarcoding of Environmental DNA Samples to Explore the Use of Uranium Mine Containment Ponds as a Water Source for Wildlife

By K.E. Klymus, C.A. Richter, N. Thompson and J.E. Hinck

Diversity, v. 9, no. 4

Amphibian acoustic data from the Arizona 1, Pinenut, and Canyon breccia pipe uranium mines in Arizona

By J.E. Hinck, B.R. Hossack, and R.K. Honeycutt

U.S. Geological Survey Data Release

Pre-mining trace element and radiation exposure to biota from a breccia pipe uranium mine in the Grand Canyon (Arizona, USA) watershed

By J.E. Hinck, D. Cleveland, W.G. Brumbaugh, G. Linder, and J. Lankton

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, February 2017

Geochemistry and hydrology of perched groundwater springs: assessing elevated uranium concentrations at Pigeon Spring relative to nearby Pigeon Mine, Arizona (USA)

By Beisner, K.R., Paretti, N.V., Tillman, F.D., Naftz, D.L., Bills, D.J., Walton-Day, K., and Gallegos, T.J.

Hydrogeology Journal, November 2016

Three GIS datasets defining areas permissive for the occurrence of uranium-bearing, solution-collapse breccia pipes in northern Arizona and southeast Utah

By Bradley S. Van Gosen, Michaela R. Johnson, and Margaret A. Goldman

U.S. Geological Survey Data Release, 2016

Element concentrations in surface soils of the Coconino Plateau, Grand Canyon region, Coconino County, Arizona

By Bradley S. Van Gosen

U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2016-1160, September 2016

Establishing a pre-mining geochemical baseline at a uranium mine near Grand Canyon National Park, USA

By David Naftz and Katie Walton-Day

Geoderma Regional, March 2016

Biogeochemical controls of uranium bioavailability from the dissolved phase in natural freshwaters

By Marie-Noële Croteau, Christopher C. Fuller, Daniel J. Cain, Kate M. Campbell, and George Aiken

Environmental Science & Technology, 50: 8120-8127

Breccia pipe uranium deposits before, during, and after mining in the Grand Canyon Region, Arizona

By Katie Walton-Day and David Naftz

Abstract, SACNAS National Conference, October 29-31, 2015, Washington, D.C.

Exposure pathways and biological receptors: baseline data for the canyon uranium mine, Coconino County, Arizona

By Jo Ellen Hinck, Greg Linder, Abigail Darrah, Charles Drost, Michael Duniway, Matthew Johnson, Francisca Mendez-Harclerode, Erika Nowak, Ernest Valdez, Charles van Riper III, and Stephanie Wolff

Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management, December 2014

Preliminary results of pre-mining baseline studies at the Canyon Uranium Mine, Coconino County, Arizona

By Katie Walton-Day, David Nafts, Donald Bills, and Jo Ellen Hinck

Abstract, Annual Meeting of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, February 23-26, 2014, Salt Lake City, UT

Please contact author for abstract

Monitoring Potential Hydrologic Impacts of Legacy and Current Uranium Mining in the Grand Canyon Region of Northern Arizona

By Donald Bills

Abstract, 12th Biennial Conference of Science and Management on the Colorado Plateau, September 16-19, 2013, Flagstaff, AZ

Effects of mining to biological receptors at the Canyon Uranium Mine, Coconino County, Arizona

By Jo Ellen Hinck and Greg Linder

Abstract, 12th Biennial Conference of Science and Management on the Colorado Plateau, September 16-19, 2013, Flagstaff, AZ

Derivation of soil screening thresholds to protect chisel-toothed kangaroo rat from uranium mine waste in northern Arizona

By Jo Ellen Hinck, Greg Linder, James Otton, Susan Finger, Edward Little, and Donald Tillitt

Abstract, Joint Meeting of the Arizona and New Mexico Chapters of the American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society, February 7-9, 2013, Albuquerque, NM

Derivation of Soil-Screening Thresholds to Protect the Chisel-Toothed Kangaroo Rat from Uranium Mine Waste in Northern Arizona

By Jo Ellen Hinck, Greg Linder, James Otton, Susan Finger, Edward Little, and Donald Tillitt

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, April 2013

Potential Impacts of Legacy and Current Uranium Mining in the Grand Canyon Region of Northern Arizona

By Donald Bills

Abstract, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, December 3-7, 2012, San Francisco, CA

Impacts on Lake Mead from Historical and Potential Future Uranium Mining in the Grand Canyon region of Northern Arizona

By Donald Bills

Abstract, Nevada Water Resources Association Lake Mead Symposium, March 5-6, 2012, Las Vegas, NV

Northern Arizona Withdrawal

Department of the Interior Record of Decision, January 2012

This document constitutes the Record of Decision (ROD) of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) for the Northern Arizona Withdrawal. Pursuant to the authority granted to the Secretary of the Interior by section 204 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA).

Northern Arizona Mineral Withdrawal

Bureau of Land Management Final Environmental Impact Statement

All of the chapters and associated documents are available by clicking the title above or the image to the left.

Breccia-pipe uranium mining in northern Arizona; estimate of resources and assessment of historical effects

By Donald Bills, Kristin Brown, Andrea Alpine, James Otton, Bradley Van Gosen, Jo Ellen Hinck, and Fred Tillman

USGS Fact Sheet 2010-3050, February 2011

Exploratory data analysis and characterization of effects thresholds for uranium in surface waters

By Greg Linder, Jo Ellen Hinck, Susan Finger, Edward Little, and Donald Tillitt

Abstract, 31st Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, November 7-11, 2010, Portland, OR

Biological considerations related to mining uranium as an alternative energy source

By Jo Ellen Hinck, Greg Linder, Susan Finger, Edward Little, and Donald Tillitt

Abstract, 31st Annual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, November 7-11, 2010, Portland, OR

Hydrological, Geological, and Biological Site Characterization of Breccia Pipe Uranium Deposits in Northern Arizona

Edited by Andrea E. Alpine

U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2010-5025, February 2010

Geochemistry of Soil Samples from 50 Solution-Collapse Features on the Coconino Plateau, Northern Arizona

By Bradley Van Gosen and Karen Wenrich

U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 91-594A-D, 1991