New Mexico Geological Society Annual Spring Meeting — Abstracts

Nuclear power is increasingly seen as essential in addressing climate change. This recognition, coupled with recent geopolitical developments, such as the war in Ukraine, and the growing energy demands from artificial intelligence, have sparked renewed interest in domestic uranium mining in the American Southwest. However, proposals for uranium mining on the Navajo Reservation have encountered staunch opposition due to a legacy of environmental damage—including contamination of soil, water, and air—that has deeply affected the health and social fabric of the Diné community.

Over the past four decades, research and commercial efforts have driven advancements to tackle these issues. Enhanced geochemical methods and reactive transport models have improved estimates of potential uranium migration to exposed populations. Biomarkers have shown promise in detecting early signs of chronic diseases linked to prolonged uranium exposure from both natural and human activities. In situ uranium recovery is often promoted as an environmentally friendly mining method; however, uncertainties persist about its effects on the environment and human health. Challenges include evaluating the efficacy of natural attenuation in reducing uranium releases from mining sites and detecting and mitigating negative health impacts within small rural populations. These concerns highlight the need for coordinated use of available tools to ensure that mining operations protect ecosystems, safeguard public health and build public confidence in their safety.

The interdisciplinary field of medical geology provides a valuable approach for policymakers addressing environmental and public health issues related to resource extraction. The connection between the nuclear fuel cycle and the health of the Diné community on the Navajo Reservation provides a useful example for this concept. This presentation explores this issue through risk analysis, illustrating the use of the Environmental Pathways/Biological Impact source-to-outcome model within the medical geology framework.