Correction: Multimodal X-ray microanalysis of a UFeO4 particle: evidence for the environmental stability of ternary U(V) oxides from depleted uranium munitions testing

Correction for 'Multimodal X-ray microanalysis of a UFeO4 particle: evidence for the environmental stability of ternary U(v) oxides from depleted uranium munitions testing' by Daniel E. Crean et al., Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020, DOI: 10.1039/d0em00243g.

Multimodal X-ray microanalysis of a UFeO4: evidence for the environmental stability of ternary U(v) oxides from depleted uranium munitions testing

An environmentally aged radioactive particle of UFeO₄ recovered from soil contaminated with munitions depleted uranium (DU) was characterised by microbeam synchrotron X-ray analysis. Imaging of uranium speciation by spatially resolved X-ray diffraction (μ-XRD) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (μ-XAS) was used to localise UFeO₄ in the particle, which was coincident with a distribution of U(v). The U oxidation state was confirmed using X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (μ-XANES) spectroscopy as +4.9 ± 0.15. Le-Bail fitting of the particle powder XRD pattern confirmed the presence of UFeO₄ and a minor alteration product identified as chernikovite (H₃O)(UO₂)(PO₄)·3H₂O. Refined unit cell parameters for UFeO₄ were in good agreement with previously published values. Uranium-oxygen interatomic distances in the first co-ordination sphere were determined by fitting of Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (μ-EXAFS) spectroscopy. The average first shell U-O distance was 2.148 ± 0.012 Å, corresponding to a U valence of +4.96 ± 0.13 using bond valence sum analysis. Using bond distances from the published structure of UFeO₄, U and Fe bond valence sums were calculated as +5.00 and +2.83 respectively, supporting the spectroscopic analysis and confirming the presence of a U(v)/Fe(iii) pair. Overall this investigation provides important evidence for the stability of U(v) ternary oxides, in oxic, variably moist surface environment conditions for at least 25 years.

Expanding the nuclear forensic toolkit: chemical profiling of uranium ore concentrate particles by synchrotron X-ray microanalysis

Synchrotron microanalysis was used to provide novel advanced characterisation of uranium ore concentrate particles in application to nuclear forensic science.

Microanalytical X-ray imaging of depleted uranium speciation in environmentally aged munitions residues

Use of depleted uranium (DU) munitions has resulted in contamination of the near-surface environment with penetrator residues. Uncertainty in the long-term environmental fate of particles produced by impact of DU penetrators with hard targets is a specific concern. In this study DU particles produced in this way and exposed to the surface terrestrial environment for longer than 30 years at a U.K. firing range were characterized using synchrotron X-ray chemical imaging. Two sites were sampled: a surface soil and a disposal area for DU-contaminated wood, and the U speciation was different between the two areas. Surface soil particles showed little extent of alteration, with U speciated as oxides U3O7 and U3O8. Uranium oxidation state and crystalline phase mapping revealed these oxides occur as separate particles, reflecting heterogeneous formation conditions. Particles recovered from the disposal area were substantially weathered, and U(VI) phosphate phases such as meta-ankoleite (K(UO2)(PO4) · 3H2O) were dominant. Chemical imaging revealed domains of contrasting U oxidation state linked to the presence of both U3O7 and meta-ankoleite, indicating growth of a particle alteration layer. This study demonstrates that substantial alteration of DU residues can occur, which directly influences the health and environmental hazards posed by this contamination.

Remediation of soils contaminated with particulate depleted uranium by multi stage chemical extraction

Contamination of soils with depleted uranium (DU) from munitions firing occurs in conflict zones and at test firing sites. This study reports the development of a chemical extraction methodology for remediation of soils contaminated with particulate DU. Uranium phases in soils from two sites at a UK firing range, MOD Eskmeals, were characterised by electron microscopy and sequential extraction. Uranium rich particles with characteristic spherical morphologies were observed in soils, consistent with other instances of DU munitions contamination. Batch extraction efficiencies for aqueous ammonium bicarbonate (42-50% total DU extracted), citric acid (30-42% total DU) and sulphuric acid (13-19% total DU) were evaluated. Characterisation of residues from bicarbonate-treated soils by synchrotron microfocus X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy revealed partially leached U(IV)-oxide particles and some secondary uranyl-carbonate phases. Based on these data, a multi-stage extraction scheme was developed utilising leaching in ammonium bicarbonate followed by citric acid to dissolve secondary carbonate species. Site specific U extraction was improved to 68-87% total U by the application of this methodology, potentially providing a route to efficient DU decontamination using low cost, environmentally compatible reagents.

Engineering biogenic magnetite for sustained Cr(VI) remediation in flow-through systems

In this work, we report a route to enhance the reactivity and longevity of biogenic magnetite in Cr(VI) remediation under continuous-flow conditions by combining functionalization of the biomagnetite surface with a precious metal catalyst, nanoscale palladium, and exposure to formate. Column influent conditions were varied to simulate oxic, anoxic, and nitrate cocontaminated environments. The addition of sodium formate as an electron donor for Pd-functionalized magnetite increased capacity and longevity allowing 80% removal of Cr(VI) after 300 h in anoxic conditions, whereas complete breakthrough occurred after 60 h in anoxic nonformate and nonfunctionalized systems. Removal of Cr(VI) was optimized under anoxic conditions, and the presence of oxidizing agents results in a modest loss in reductive capacity. Examination of reacted Pd-functionalized magnetite reveals close association of Fe with Cr, suggesting that Pd-coupled oxidation of formate serves to regenerate the reactive surface. XMCD studies revealed that Cr(III) is partially substituted for Fe in the magnetite structure, which serves to immobilize Cr. No evidence for a mechanistic interference by nitrate cocontamination was observed, suggesting that this novel system could provide robust, effective and sustained reduction of contaminants, even in the presence of common oxidizing cocontaminants, outperforming the reductive capacity of nonfunctionalized biogenic magnetite.