Distribution of Uranium and Radionuclides in a Uranium-Mining Rockpile in Schlema, Saxony, Germany

A spectroscopic study on U(VI) biomineralization in cultivated Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilms isolated from granitic aquifers

The interaction between the Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilm and U(VI) were studied using extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS), and time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). In EXAFS studies, the formation of a stable uranyl phosphate mineral, similar to autunite (Ca[UO2]2[PO4]2•2-6H2O) or meta-autunite (Ca[UO2]2[PO4]2•10-12H2O) was observed. This is the first time such a biomineralization process has been observed in P. fluorescens. Biomineralization occurs due to phosphate release from the cellular polyphosphate, likely as a cell's response to the added uranium. It differs significantly from the biosorption process occurring in the planktonic cells of the same strain. TRLFS studies of the uranium-contaminated nutrient medium identified aqueous Ca2UO2(CO3)3 and UO2(CO3)3 (4-) species, which in contrast to the biomineralization in the P. fluorescens biofilm, may contribute to the transport and migration of U(VI). The obtained results reveal that biofilms of P. fluorescens may play an important role in predicting the transport behavior of uranium in the environment. They will also contribute to the improvement of remediation methods in uranium-contaminated sites.

Longterm leaching of natural radionuclides from uranium mill tailings material: comparison of indoor and outdoor column experiments

The leaching of natural radionuclides from the material of a uranium mill tailing at Crossen/Saxony was investigated using eight columns (20 cm diameter, 50 cm height). Six columns were irrigated in the laboratory by synthetic rainwater of pH 6, 3 and 2, two columns were exposed outdoor to natural meteorological conditions. In the effluent of the columns, the concentrations of the radionuclides were measured periodically. With exception of the initial phase after installation of the columns (ca. 0.4 y), the leaching rates of radionuclides decreased slowly within the observation period of 4.5 years. Due to the buffering capacity of the tailings material, acidifying the irrigation water of the laboratory columns did not effect the effluent concentrations of the radionuclides. However, significant differences were observed between laboratory and outdoor columns: outdoor, the concentration of235U in the effluents was for the first two years substantially smaller than in the laboratory. As a consequence, the accumulated leached activity of235Uduring 4.5 years was 19.0±0.9% of the inventory for the laboratory columns, but only 10.9±0.6% for the outdoor columns. While uranium thus proved to be rather soluble, the concentration of226Ra in the effluents was quite small (<1 Bq/l). Thorium was retained completely in the columns.

Contribution of minerals to the sorption of U(VI) on granite

Batch sorption experiments of U(VI) onto the surfaces of granite rock were carried out. The distribution of the sorbed U(VI) on crushed granite particles was investigatedviaa sequential chemical extraction method to quantify the amount of U(VI) sorbed on the mineral phases and by X-ray diffraction characterization of dried samples of the remaining minerals after each extraction step to determine the significant mineral phases that sorb U(VI). Chlorite among the constituent minerals, even though being present in a small amount, is assumed to contribute to the strong U(VI) sorption and most of the sorbed U(VI) was weakly bound to the granite surfaces. However, a discriminative amount of the sorbed U(VI) on granite particles was difficult to desorb, in particular, when sorption took place in the alkaline region. The distribution of the sorbed U(VI) both on the fresh intact surface and on the natural fracture surface was also investigated by a X-ray image mapping technique. The result shows that dominant minerals hosting the majority of the sorbed uranium are mica for the intact surface of granite and chlorite for the fracture surface of the granite.