1
|
Geng T, Mangeret A, Péron O, Suhard D, Gorny J, Darricau L, Le Coz M, Ait-Ouabbas N, David K, Debayle C, Blanchart P, Montavon G, Gourgiotis A. Unveiling the origins and transport processes of radioactive pollutants downstream from a former U-mine site using isotopic tracers and U-238 series disequilibrium. J Hazard Mater 2024; 472:134416. [PMID: 38703677 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
High U concentrations (reaching up to 14,850 mg ⋅ kg-1), were determined in soils and sediments of a wetland downstream of a former U mine in France. This study aims to identify the origin of radioactive contaminants in the wetland by employing Pb isotope fingerprinting, (234U/238U) disequilibrium, SEM, and SIMS observations. Additionally, information about U and 226Ra transport processes was studied using U-238 series disequilibrium. The results of Pb fingerprinting highlighted inherited material inputs of different U-mines with mainly two types of U-ores: i) pitchblende (UO2), and ii) parsonsite (Pb2(UO2)(PO4)2). Moreover, significant disequilibrium of (230Th/238U) and (226Ra/230Th) activity ratios highlighted the mobility of 238U and 226Ra in the wetland, primarily driven by the water table fluctuations. Finally, this work uncovered a limitation of Pb isotope fingerprinting in the case of parsonsite materials, as the high natural Pb content of this mineral may hide the uranogenic Pb signature in the samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Geng
- Laboratoire SUBATECH, UMR 6457, IMT Atlantique/Université de Nantes/CNRS/IN2P3, 4, rue Alfred Kastler, Nantes 44307, France; Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-ENV/SPDR/LT2S, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, Fontenay-aux-Roses F-92260, France
| | - Arnaud Mangeret
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-ENV/SPDR/LT2S, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, Fontenay-aux-Roses F-92260, France
| | - Olivier Péron
- Laboratoire SUBATECH, UMR 6457, IMT Atlantique/Université de Nantes/CNRS/IN2P3, 4, rue Alfred Kastler, Nantes 44307, France
| | - David Suhard
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-ENV/SPDR/LT2S, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, Fontenay-aux-Roses F-92260, France
| | - Josselin Gorny
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-ENV/SPDR/LT2S, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, Fontenay-aux-Roses F-92260, France
| | - Louise Darricau
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-ENV/SPDR/LT2S, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, Fontenay-aux-Roses F-92260, France
| | - Mathieu Le Coz
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-ENV/SPDR/LT2S, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, Fontenay-aux-Roses F-92260, France
| | - Nicolas Ait-Ouabbas
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-ENV/SPDR/LT2S, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, Fontenay-aux-Roses F-92260, France
| | - Karine David
- Laboratoire SUBATECH, UMR 6457, IMT Atlantique/Université de Nantes/CNRS/IN2P3, 4, rue Alfred Kastler, Nantes 44307, France
| | - Christophe Debayle
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-ENV/SPDR/LT2S, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, Fontenay-aux-Roses F-92260, France
| | - Pascale Blanchart
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-ENV/SPDR/LT2S, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, Fontenay-aux-Roses F-92260, France
| | - Gilles Montavon
- Laboratoire SUBATECH, UMR 6457, IMT Atlantique/Université de Nantes/CNRS/IN2P3, 4, rue Alfred Kastler, Nantes 44307, France
| | - Alkiviadis Gourgiotis
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-ENV/SPDR/LT2S, LETIS, USDR, PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LRSI, Fontenay-aux-Roses F-92260, France.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mallet C, Rossi F, Hassan-Loni Y, Holub G, Thi-Hong-Hanh L, Diez O, Michel H, Sergeant C, Kolovi S, Chardon P, Montavon G. Assessing the chronic effect of the bioavailable fractions of radionuclides and heavy metals on stream microbial communities: A case study at the Rophin mining site. Sci Total Environ 2024; 919:170692. [PMID: 38325491 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the potential impact of long-term chronic exposure (69 years) to naturally-occurring radionuclides (RNs) and heavy metals on microbial communities in sediment from a stream flowing through a watershed impacted by an ancient mining site (Rophin, France). Four sediment samples were collected along a radioactivity gradient (for 238U368 to 1710 Bq.Kg-1) characterized for the presence of the bioavailable fractions of radionuclides (226Ra, 210Po), and trace metal elements (Th, U, As, Pb, Cu, Zn, Fe). Results revealed that the available fraction of contaminants was significant although it varied considerably from one element to another (0 % for As and Th, 5-59 % for U). Nonetheless, microbial communities appeared significantly affected by such chronic exposure to (radio)toxicities. Several microbial functions carried by bacteria and related with carbon and nitrogen cycling have been impaired. The high values of fungal diversity and richness observed with increasing downstream contamination (H' = 4.4 and Chao1 = 863) suggest that the community had likely shifted toward a more adapted/tolerant one as evidenced, for example, by the presence of the species Thelephora sp. and Tomentella sp. The bacterial composition was also affected by the contaminants with enrichment in Myxococcales, Acidovorax or Nostocales at the most contaminated points. Changes in microbial composition and functional structure were directly related to radionuclide and heavy metal contaminations, but also to organic matter which also significantly affected, directly or indirectly, bacterial and fungal compositions. Although it was not possible to distinguish the specific effects of RNs from heavy metals on microbial communities, it is essential to continue studies considering the available fraction of elements, which is the only one able to interact with microorganisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clarisse Mallet
- Université Clermont-Auvergne, CNRS, Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement, F-63170 Aubière, France; LTSER "Zone Atelier Territoires Uranifères", F-63170, France.
| | - Florent Rossi
- Département de biochimie, de microbiologie et de bio-informatique, Faculté des sciences et de génie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada; Centre de recherche de l'institut de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Yahaya Hassan-Loni
- SUBATECH, IMT Atlantique, Nantes Université, CNRS, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Guillaume Holub
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, LP2I Bordeaux, UMR5797, F- 33170 Gradignan, France; LTSER "Zone Atelier Territoires Uranifères", F-63170, France
| | - Le Thi-Hong-Hanh
- ICN UMR 7272, Université Côte d'Azur, 28 avenue Valrose, 06108 Nice, France; LTSER "Zone Atelier Territoires Uranifères", F-63170, France
| | - Olivier Diez
- Institut de Radioprotection et Sureté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSE-ENV/SPDR/LT2S, 31 Avenue de la division Leclerc, F-922602 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; LTSER "Zone Atelier Territoires Uranifères", F-63170, France
| | - Hervé Michel
- ICN UMR 7272, Université Côte d'Azur, 28 avenue Valrose, 06108 Nice, France; LTSER "Zone Atelier Territoires Uranifères", F-63170, France
| | - Claire Sergeant
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, LP2I Bordeaux, UMR5797, F- 33170 Gradignan, France; LTSER "Zone Atelier Territoires Uranifères", F-63170, France
| | - Sofia Kolovi
- Université Clermont-Auvergne, CNRS, LPC Clermont, F-63170 Aubière, France; LTSER "Zone Atelier Territoires Uranifères", F-63170, France
| | - Patrick Chardon
- Université Clermont-Auvergne, CNRS, LPC Clermont, F-63170 Aubière, France; LTSER "Zone Atelier Territoires Uranifères", F-63170, France
| | - Gilles Montavon
- SUBATECH, IMT Atlantique, Nantes Université, CNRS, F-44000 Nantes, France; LTSER "Zone Atelier Territoires Uranifères", F-63170, France.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Huang G, Huang K, Wang X, Shu W, Ren W, Wang P, Zhang H, Nie M, Ding M. Potential of granular complexes of lime and montmorillonite for stabilizing soil cadmium and the underlying mechanisms. Environ Pollut 2023; 316:120623. [PMID: 36356883 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) contaminated soils were widely remediated by alkaline materials in powder, while the effects of granular materials are still unknown. This study was conducted to prepare granular materials based on hydrated lime and montmorillonite with ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 (LM1, LM2, and LM3); their effects and mechanisms on stabilizing Cd in hydroponic, pot, and field conditions were further explored. The results showed that powdery materials caused intense pH elevations within 30-60 min and dissolved-Cd reductions within 8-100 min. However, granular materials significantly delayed these effects; the highest solution pH and lowest dissolved-Cd occurred after 250 min. The LM1 granules induced a much higher reduction of dissolved-Cd (99.8%) than that in the LM2 (53.6%) and LM3 granules (14.3%) due to the generation of more cadmium carbonate precipitates. Additionally, the soil pH gradually decreased after an intense elevation induced by powdery materials, but the LM1 granules maintained the soil pH at approximately 7.0, resulting in a lower level of CaCl2-extractable Cd (0.03 mg kg-1) than the LM1 powder (0.22 mg kg-1) after 30 d of cultivation. Similar to lime powder, a small spatial variation (Std. of 3.45) of DGT (diffusive gradient in thin films) extractable Cd in soil profile was observed in the LM1 granules, revealing a homogeneous stabilization effect induced by the LM1 granules. Accordingly, the LM1 granules induced a higher reduction in brown rice Cd (50.9%) than that in the LM1 powders (35.1%). Thus, the granular material of hydrated lime and montmorillonite (1:1) h the potential to replace lime powder in the remediation of Cd-contaminated field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaoxiang Huang
- Ministry of Education's Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Wetland and Watershed Research, School of Geography and Environment, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China; Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 71 East Beijing Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Keyi Huang
- Ministry of Education's Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Wetland and Watershed Research, School of Geography and Environment, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Xingxiang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 71 East Beijing Road, Nanjing, 210008, China; Ecological Experimental Station of Red Soil, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yingtan, 335211, China
| | - Wuxing Shu
- Agricultural and Rural Grain Bureau of Yujiang District, Yingtan, 335200, China
| | - Wenjing Ren
- Ministry of Education's Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Wetland and Watershed Research, School of Geography and Environment, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Ministry of Education's Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Wetland and Watershed Research, School of Geography and Environment, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Ministry of Education's Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Wetland and Watershed Research, School of Geography and Environment, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Minghua Nie
- Ministry of Education's Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Wetland and Watershed Research, School of Geography and Environment, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Mingjun Ding
- Ministry of Education's Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Wetland and Watershed Research, School of Geography and Environment, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Beccia MR, Creff G, Den Auwer C, Di Giorgio C, Jeanson A, Michel H. Environmental Chemistry of Radionuclides : Open Questions and Perspectives. Chempluschem 2022; 87:e202200108. [PMID: 35778807 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202200108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Since the discovery of nuclear fission, atomic energy has become for mankind a source of energy, but it has also become a source of consternation. This Perspective presents and discusses the methodological evolution of the work performed in the radiochemistry laboratory that is part of the Institut de Chimie de Nice (France). Most studies in radioecology and environmental radiochemistry have intended to assess the impact and inventory of very low levels of radionuclides in specific environmental compartments. But chemical mechanisms at the molecular level remain a mystery because it is technically impossible (due to large dilution factors) to assess speciation in those systems. Ultra-trace levels of contamination and heterogeneity often preclude the use of spectroscopic techniques and the determination of direct speciation data, thus forming the bottleneck of speciation studies. The work performed in the Nice radiochemistry laboratory underlines this effort to input speciation data (using spectroscopic techniques like X ray Absorption Spectroscopy) in environmental and radioecological metrics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Gaëlle Creff
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, ICN, 06108, Nice, France
| | | | | | | | - Hervé Michel
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, ICN, 06108, Nice, France
| |
Collapse
|