Comparative study on sorption/desorption of radioeuropium on alumina, bentonite and red earth: effects of pH, ionic strength, fulvic acid, and iron oxides in red earth

Probing and understanding interaction of Eu(III) with γ- alumina in presenceof malonic acid

Radionuclide migration in aquatic environment is influenced by its sorption onto colloids/mineral oxides and the presence of organic complexing anions. With a view to understand the sorption of trivalent actinides by mineral oxides in presence of organic acid, in the present study, Eu(III), malonic acid (MA) and γ-alumina are considered as representatives of trivalent actinides, low molecular weight natural occurring organic acid and aluminol sites, respectively. The influence of MA on sorption of Eu(III) by γ-alumina was elucidated by batch sorption, spectroscopic techniques and surface complexation modeling, for the first time. Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopic studies of MA sorbed on γ-alumina revealed the presence of two inner-sphere surface complexes. Batch sorption for binary (alumina-Eu(III)) and ternary (alumina-Eu(III)-MA) systems were investigated as a function of pH, Eu(III) concentration and sequential addition of Eu(III)/MA. The pH edge for Eu(III) sorption shifts to higher pH with increasing Eu(III) concentration. In ternary systems, Eu(III) sorption is significantly enhanced at pH < 4.5. Eu(III) speciation on γ-alumina is independent of addition sequence of Eu(III)/MA. Time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy of Eu(III) sorbed on γ-alumina exhibited two surface species, XOEu²⁺ and (YO)₂Eu⁺. The enhancement in I₆₁₆/I₅₉₂ and lifetime for ternary systems, as compared to binary system, at low pH, indicates the participation of Eu-MA complexes in the formation of surface species in ternary systems. The diffuse layer model has been employed to successfully model the experimental sorption profiles of binary and ternary systems, using code FITEQL 4.0, by considering the surface species identified by spectroscopic techniques.

La, Ce and Nd in the soil-plant system in a vegetation experiment with barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Rare earth elements (REEs) have received enormous attention in recent years. However, there are many gaps in the understanding of their behavior in the soil-plant system. The aim of this study is to investigate the behavior of three most common REEs (La, Ce, Nd) in the soil-plant system directly on soil samples using barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in a vegetation experiment. We attribute the absence of significant changes in plant biomass and photosynthetic pigment content to the reduced availability of REEs in soil samples. The concentration of water-soluble forms of La, Ce and Nd didn't exceed 1 mg/kg, while the concentration of exchangeable forms varied and decreased in a row La > Ce > Nd. The transfer factor (TF) from soil to above-ground biomass was low for all three elements (<1). The stem-to-leaf TF increased with the increase in REEs concentration in soil. The concentration in plant material increased in the row Ce < Nd < La. REEs concentrations in barley leaves didn't exceed 1-3% of the corresponding element concentration in soil samples. REEs concentration in plant tissues is in close direct correlation with the REEs total concentration in soil, water-soluble and exchange forms. REEs concentration in barley leaves is 3-4 times higher than in the stems and for the group with extraneous concentration of 200 mg/kg for La, Ce and Nd was 6.20 ± 1.48, 2.10 ± 0.51, 6.90 ± 3.00 mg/kg, respectively. We show that there were no major changes in barley plants, but further study is needed of the relationship between the absorption of lanthanides by plants and the content of various forms of lanthanides in the soil.

Microbial Interaction with Clay Minerals and Its Environmental and Biotechnological Implications

Clay minerals are very common in nature and highly reactive minerals which are typical products of the weathering of the most abundant silicate minerals on the planet. Over recent decades there has been growing appreciation that the prime involvement of clay minerals in the geochemical cycling of elements and pedosphere genesis should take into account the biogeochemical activity of microorganisms. Microbial intimate interaction with clay minerals, that has taken place on Earth’s surface in a geological time-scale, represents a complex co-evolving system which is challenging to comprehend because of fragmented information and requires coordinated efforts from both clay scientists and microbiologists. This review covers some important aspects of the interactions of clay minerals with microorganisms at the different levels of complexity, starting from organic molecules, individual and aggregated microbial cells, fungal and bacterial symbioses with photosynthetic organisms, pedosphere, up to environmental and biotechnological implications. The review attempts to systematize our current general understanding of the processes of biogeochemical transformation of clay minerals by microorganisms. This paper also highlights some microbiological and biotechnological perspectives of the practical application of clay minerals–microbes interactions not only in microbial bioremediation and biodegradation of pollutants but also in areas related to agronomy and human and animal health.

State of rare earth elements in the sediment and their bioaccumulation by mangroves: a case study in pristine islands of Indian Sundarban

The mangrove ecosystems are known to efficiently sequester trace metals both in sediments and plant biomass. However, less is known about the chemistry of rare earth elements (REE) in the coastal environments, especially in the world's largest mangrove province, the Sundarban. Here, the concentration of REE in the sediment and plant organs of eight dominant mangrove species (mainly Avicennia sp.) in the Indian Sundarban was measured to assess REE sources, distribution, and bioaccumulation state. Results revealed that light REE (LREE) were more concentrated than the heavy REE (HREE) (128-144 mg kg^-1 and 12-15 mg kg^-1, respectively) in the mangrove sediments, with a relatively weak positive europium anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 1.03-1.14) with respect to North American shale composite. The primary source of REE was most likely linked to aluminosilicate weathering of crustal materials, and the resultant increase in LREE in the detritus. Vertical distribution of REE in one of the long cores from Lothian Island was altered by mangrove root activity and dependent on various physicochemical properties in the sediment (e.g., Eh, pH, organic carbon, and phosphate). REE uptake by plants was higher in the below-ground parts than in the above-ground plant tissues (root = 3.3 mg kg^-1, leaf + wood = 1.7 mg kg^-1); however, their total concentration was much lower than in the sediment (149.5 mg kg^-1). Species-specific variability in bioaccumulation factor and translocation factor was observed indicating different REE partitioning and varying degree of mangrove uptake efficiency. Total REE stock in plant (above + live below ground) was estimated to be 168 g ha^-1 with LREE contributing ~ 90% of the stock. This study highlighted the efficiency of using REE as a biological proxy in determining the degree of bioaccumulation within the mangrove environment.

Dependence of samarium-soil interaction on samarium concentration: Implications for environmental risk assessment

The sorption and desorption behaviour of samarium (Sm), an emerging contaminant, was examined in soil samples at varying Sm concentrations. The obtained sorption and desorption parameters revealed that soil possessed a high Sm retention capacity (sorption was higher than 99% and desorption lower than 2%) at low Sm concentrations, whereas at high Sm concentrations, the sorption-desorption behaviour varied among the soil samples tested. The fractionation of the Sm sorbed in soils, obtained by sequential extractions, allowed to suggest the soil properties (pH and organic matter solubility) and phases (organic matter, carbonates and clay minerals) governing the Sm-soil interaction. The sorption models constructed in the present work along with the sorption behaviour of Sm explained in terms of soil main characteristics will allow properly assessing the Sm-soil interaction depending on the contamination scenario under study. Moreover, the sorption and desorption K_d values of radiosamarium in soils were strongly correlated with those of stable Sm at low concentrations (r = 0.98); indicating that the mobility of Sm radioisotopes and, thus, the risk of radioactive Sm contamination can be predicted using data from low concentrations of stable Sm.

Retention of barium and europium radionuclides from aqueous solutions on ash-based sorbents by application of radiochemical techniques

New materials were synthesized for application in sorption of radionuclides from aqueous solutions. The elaboration was performed by conversion of power plant ash using the hydrothermal method under optimum experimental conditions. Sodalite, Na-Y, and analcime were formed from ash precursor during the treatment, exhibiting thermal stability as revealed by the characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area and pore volume were determined and they presented higher values than plant ash. The ability of the new products to retain Ba and Eu radionuclides was studied in aqueous solutions using (133)Ba and (152)Eu as tracers and γ-ray spectroscopy under batch experiments. The experimental data were modeled by the Langmuir and Freundlich equations, whereas sorption kinetics measurements were performed at 293, 308, and 323K and thermodynamic parameters were calculated. The release of the sorbed ions into the environment was also tested by leaching experiments. The results of these tests indicated that the synthesized materials are very efficient in removing the aforementioned metals from aqueous solutions and can be considered as potential low-cost sorbents in nuclear waste management.

Laboratory determination of migration of Eu(III) in compacted bentonite-sand mixtures as buffer/backfill material for high-level waste disposal

For the safety assessment of geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW), the migration of Eu(III) through compacted bentonite-sand mixtures was measured under expected repository conditions. Under the evaluated conditions, advection and dispersion is the dominant migration mechanism. The role of sorption on the retardation of migration was also evaluated. The hydraulic conductivities of compacted bentonite-sand mixtures were K=2.07×10(-10)-5.23×10(-10)cm/s, The sorption and diffusion of Eu(III) were examined using a flexible wall permeameter for a solute concentration of 2.0×10(-5)mol/l. The effective diffusion coefficients and apparent diffusion coefficients of Eu(III) in compacted bentonite-sand mixtures were in the range of 1.62×10(-12)-4.87×10(-12)m(2)/s, 1.44×10(-14)-9.41×10(-14)m(2)/s, respectively, which has a very important significance to forecast the relationship between migration length of Eu(III) in buffer/backfill material and time and provide a reference for the design of buffer/backfill material for HLW disposal in China.

Rare Earth Elements: Their Importance in Understanding Soil Genesis

The rare earth elements (REEs) are commonly defined as lanthanum (La) and the 14 elements comprising the Lanthanide series. The REE’s typically exhibit trivalent oxidation states; however, Europium may also occur as Eu2+ and Cerium may occur as Ce4+. The REE’s ionic radii decrease on progression from La to Lu, which results in a slight but predictable change in their chemical affinity. Typically, the light REE (La to Sm) reside in trace minerals such as apatite, epidote and allanite, whereas the heavy REE (Gd to Lu) are associated with minerals such as zircon. Investigations typically show that the REE are depleted in near-surface horizons and accumulate in deeper horizons or the regolith as clay-oxyhydroxide adsorbates or REE-phosphate precipitates. Numerous studies show the heavy REE accumulating in the deeper soil regions to a greater extent than the light REE, whereas other studies show the light REE’s preferentially accumulating at greater soil depths. The degree of interhorizon transport has great potential to become an index of weather intensity. The various REE soil migration pathways have been isolated, including lessivage, soil organic matter complexation, leaching in percolating water, adsorption by inorganic colloids, and precipitated by phosphate-bearing minerals.

Examination of competitive lanthanide sorption onto smectites and its significance in the management of radioactive waste

The competitive effect of La and Lu (analogues of radionuclides appearing in radioactive waste) in the sorption in four smectites was examined. Sorption and desorption distribution coefficients (K(d); K(d,des)), and desorption rates (R(des)) were determined from batch tests in two media: deionized water and, to consider the influence of cement leachates, 0.02 mol L(-1) Ca. The competitive effect was lower when high-affinity sites were available, as in the water medium at the lowest range of initial lanthanide concentration, with high K(d) for La and for Lu (5-63×10(4) L kg(-1)). Lower K(d) was measured at higher initial concentrations and in the Ca medium, where Lu showed a stronger competitive effect. This was confirmed by fitting the sorption data to a two-solute Langmuir isotherm. The desorption data indicated that sorption was virtually irreversible for the scenarios with high sorption, with an excellent correlation between K(d) and K(d,des) (R(2) around 0.9 for the two lanthanides). Assuming that radioactive waste is a mixture of radionuclides, and that Ca ions will be provided by the cement leachates, this would reduce the retention capacity of clay engineered barriers.

Periodic density functional theory investigation of the uranyl ion sorption on three mineral surfaces: a comparative study

Canister integrity and radionuclides retention is of prime importance for assessing the long term safety of nuclear waste stored in engineered geologic depositories. A comparative investigation of the interaction of uranyl ion with three different mineral surfaces has thus been undertaken in order to point out the influence of surface composition on the adsorption mechanism(s). Periodic DFT calculations using plane waves basis sets with the GGA formalism were performed on the TiO(2)(110), Al(OH)(3)(001) and Ni(111) surfaces. This study has clearly shown that three parameters play an important role in the uranyl adsorption mechanism: the solvent (H(2)O) distribution at the interface, the nature of the adsorption site and finally, the surface atoms' protonation state.

Sorption of Eu(III) on humic acid or fulvic acid bound to hydrous alumina studied by SEM-EDS, XPS, TRLFS, and batch techniques

To identify the effect of humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) on the sorption mechanism of Eu(III) on organic--inorganic colloids in the environment at a molecular level, surface adsorbed/ complexed Eu(III) on hydrous alumina, HA-, and FA-hydrous alumina hybrids were characterized by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). The experiments were performed in 0.1 mol/L KNO3 or 0.1 mol/L NaClO4 under ambient conditions. The pH values were varied between 2 and 11 at a fixed Eu(III) concentration of 6.0 x 10(-7) mol/L and 4.3 x 10(-5) mol/L. The different Eu(III)/FA(HA)/hydrous alumina complexes were characterized by their fluorescence emission spectra ((5D0-F1)/ (5D0 --> 7F2)) and binding energy of Eu(III). Inner-sphere surface complexation may contribute mainly to Eu(III) sorption on hydrous alumina, and a ternary surface complex is formed at the HA/ FA-hydrous alumina hybrid surfaces. The sorption and species of Eu(III) in ternary Eu-HA/FA-hydrous alumina systems are not dominated by either HA/FA or hydrous alumina, but are dominated by both HA/FA and hydrous alumina. The results are important for understanding the sorption mechanisms and the nature of surface adsorbed Eu(III) species and trivalent chemical homologues of Eu(III) in the natural environment.

Geomycology: biogeochemical transformations of rocks, minerals, metals and radionuclides by fungi, bioweathering and bioremediation

The study of the role that fungi have played and are playing in fundamental geological processes can be termed 'geomycology' and this article seeks to emphasize the fundamental importance of fungi in several key areas. These include organic and inorganic transformations and element cycling, rock and mineral transformations, bioweathering, mycogenic mineral formation, fungal-clay interactions, metal-fungal interactions, and the significance of such processes in the environment and their relevance to areas of environmental biotechnology such as bioremediation. Fungi are intimately involved in biogeochemical transformations at local and global scales, and although such transformations occur in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats, it is the latter environment where fungi probably have the greatest influence. Within terrestrial aerobic ecosystems, fungi may exert an especially profound influence on biogeochemical processes, particularly when considering soil, rock and mineral surfaces, and the plant root-soil interface. The geochemical transformations that take place can influence plant productivity and the mobility of toxic elements and substances, and are therefore of considerable socio-economic relevance, including human health. Of special significance are the mutualistic symbioses, lichens and mycorrhizas. Some of the fungal transformations discussed have beneficial applications in environmental biotechnology, e.g. in metal leaching, recovery and detoxification, and xenobiotic and organic pollutant degradation. They may also result in adverse effects when these processes are associated with the degradation of foodstuffs, natural products, and building materials, including wood, stone and concrete. It is clear that a multidisciplinary approach is essential to understand fully all the phenomena encompassed within geomycology, and it is hoped that this review will serve to catalyse further research, as well as stimulate interest in an area of mycology of global significance.

Sorption and complexation of Eu(III) on alumina: Effects of pH, ionic strength, humic acid and chelating resin on kinetic dissociation study

The effects of pH (pH=2-12), ionic strength (0.01-2 mol/l NaNO(3)) and humic acid on the sorption and complexation of Eu(III) on alumina were investigated by using batch techniques. The experiments were carried out at room temperature and under ambient conditions. The results indicate that the sorption of Eu(III) on alumina is strongly influenced by humic acid. The sorption of Eu(III) on alumina is significantly dependent on pH values and independent of ionic strength. The sorption of Eu(III) on alumina may be attributed to surface complexation. The species of Eu(III) on HA-alumina colloids is dominated by both HA and alumina, and the addition sequences of HA or Eu(III) to the ternary system do not influence the sorption of Eu(III) to HA-coated alumina. Kinetic dissociation of Eu(III) from bare and HA-coated alumina was also studied by using the chelating resin. The result was discussed by a pseudo-first-order kinetics model.

Effect of pH and concentration on the diffusion of radiostrontium in compacted bentonite—a capillary experimental study

The effects of pH and Sr2+ solution concentration on diffusion and sorption of Sr2+ in compacted bentonite (rhob = 1000+/-30 kg/m3) were studied using an "in-diffusion" method at an ionic strength of 0.1M NaClO4. The results (distribution coefficients, Kd, apparent and effective diffusion coefficients, Da and De) derived from the capillary method are in good agreement with the literature data obtained for similar bentonite dry densities and fit Fick's second law very well. The results suggest that the diffusion of Sr2+ in compacted bentonite decreases slightly with increasing pH values and also increases slightly with increasing Sr2+ solution concentration. The distribution coefficients are weakly dependent on the solution concentrations and show a slight increase with increasing pH values. The average effective diffusion coefficient of Sr2+ in compacted bentonite is (1.2+/-0.2) x 10(-9) m2/s, surface diffusion effects are found for the diffusion of Sr2+ in compacted bentonite.

Diffusion of Eu(III) in compacted bentonite—effect of pH, solution concentration and humic acid

The effect of pH, Eu(III) solution concentration and humic acid on the diffusion of Eu(III) in compacted bentonite (rho(b) = 1000 +/- 30 kg/m(3)) was studied with "in-diffusion" method at an ionic strength of 0.1M NaClO(4). The results (K(d) values from the first slice and theoretical calculation, apparent and effective diffusion coefficients) derived from the new capillary method are in good agreement with the literature data under similar conditions, and fit the Fick's second law very well. The results suggest that the diffusion of Eu(III) is dependent on pH values and independent on solution concentration in our experimental conditions. Humic acid forms precipitation/complexation with Eu(III) at the surface of compacted bentonite and thus deduces the diffusion/transport of Eu(III) in compacted bentonite. The K(d) values in compacted bentonite are in most cases lower than those in powdered bentonite obtained from batch experiments. The difference between the K(d) values from powdered and compacted bentonite is a strong function of the bulk density of the bentonite. The results suggest that the content of interlaminary space plays a very important role to the diffusion, sorption and migration of Eu(III) in compacted bentonite.