The objective of this study was to characterize the behavior of water in profiles of uranium mill tailings. The approach taken consisted of (1) measurement of the water retention and transmission properties of selected tailings materials, (2) numerical simulation of water flow in selected profiles of tailings subjected to specific boundary conditions, and (3) analysis and interpretation of the simulation results within the framework of unsaturated soil water flow theory. The sequence of flow events in a tailings profile without vegetation and with a water table at a given depth is: (1) an initial drainage from saturation, with evaporation at the surface, (2) infiltration of varying amounts of rain at irregular intervals, (3) and periods of evaporation and drainage from the profile, with redistribution within the profile, between infiltration events. The water flow regime in the upper 90 cm, particularly the upper 10-20 cm is transient and dynamic. The lower part of the profile, below about 70-90 cm, tends to behave in a quasi-steady downward flow condition.

"ORP-LV-78-8." "September 1978." Cover title. "A report of research conducted under IAG - DG - H026 between USDA - SEA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency." "Project officer, Robert F. Kaufmann." Includes bibliographical references.