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Lian G, An Y, Sun J, Yang B, Shen Z. Effects and driving mechanisms of bioremediation on groundwater after the neutral in situ leaching of uranium. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:174406. [PMID: 38964395 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
The remediation of groundwater subject to in situ leaching (ISL) for uranium mining has raised extensive concerns in uranium mill and milling. This study conducted bioremediation through biostimulation and bioaugmentation to the groundwater in an area in northern China that was contaminated due to uranium mining using the CO2 + O2 neutral ISL (NISL) technology. It identified the dominant controlling factors and mechanisms driving bioremediation. Findings indicate that microorganisms can reduce the uranium concentration in groundwater subject to NISL uranium mining to its normal level. After 120 days of bioaugmentation, the uranium concentration in the contaminated groundwater fell to 0.36 mg/L, achieving a remediation efficiency of 91.26 %. Compared with biostimulation, bioaugmentation shortened the remediation timeframe by 30 to 60 days while maintaining roughly the same remediation efficiency. For groundwater remediation using indigenous microbial inoculants, initial uranium concentration and low temperatures (below 15 °C) emerge as the dominant factors influencing the bioremediation performance and duration. In settings with high carbonate concentrations, bioremediation involved the coupling of multiple processes including bioreduction, biotransformation, biomineralization, and biosorption, with bioreduction assuming a predominant role. Post-bioremediation, the relative abundances of reducing microbes Desulfosporosinus and Sulfurospirillum in groundwater increased significantly by 10.56 % and 6.91 %, respectively, offering a sustainable, stable biological foundation for further bioremediation of groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoxi Lian
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Nuclear and Radiation Safety Center, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing 100082, China
| | - Yifu An
- The Fourth Research and Design Engineering Corporation of CNNC, Shijiazhuang 050021, China
| | - Juan Sun
- The Fourth Research and Design Engineering Corporation of CNNC, Shijiazhuang 050021, China
| | - Bing Yang
- The Fourth Research and Design Engineering Corporation of CNNC, Shijiazhuang 050021, China
| | - Zhenyao Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
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2
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Seigneur N, Grozeva N, Purevsan B, Descostes M. Reactive transport modelling as a toolbox to compare remediation strategies for aquifers impacted by uranium in situ recovery. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2024; 265:104392. [PMID: 38954926 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2024.104392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
More than 60% of worldwide uranium production is based on the In Situ Recovery mining technique. This exploitation method directly falls within the scope of the applications of reactive transport modelling to optimize uranium production and limit its associated environmental impact. We propose a modelling approach which is able to represent the natural evolution of an aquifer impacted by an ISR test performed using sulfuric acid. The model is calibrated on a 12 year-long data series obtained from 12 monitoring wells surrounding an ISR pilot cell. Through this process-based approach, we simulate the impact of several remediation strategies that can be considered in these contexts. In particular, we model the impact of Pump & Treat combined with reverse osmosis, as well as the circulation of non-impacted fluids through the reservoir with different operating strategies. Our approach allows to compare the effectiveness of these strategies. For this small-scale ISR pilot, monitored natural attenuation constitutes an interesting approach due to its faster pH recovery time with respect to Pump & Treat (5-10 years to pH ∼ 6), whose efficiency can be improved by the addition of exchangeable cations. Circulation of unimpacted fluids can reduce pH recovery times if performed for periods longer than the ISR exploitation and/or deployed with a delay. Combined with an economic evaluation of their deployment, this modelling approach can help the mining operator select and design optimal remediation strategies from an environmental and economical standpoint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Seigneur
- Mines Paris PSL, PSL University, Centre de Géosciences, 35 Rue St Honoré, Fontainebleau, 77300, France.
| | - Niya Grozeva
- Mines Paris PSL, PSL University, Centre de Géosciences, 35 Rue St Honoré, Fontainebleau, 77300, France; ORANO Mining, 125 Avenue de Paris, Châtillon, Paris 92320, France
| | - Bayarmaa Purevsan
- Badrakh Energy, ICC Tower, Jamiyan Gun street, 9, District Sukhbaatar, Ulaanbaatar 14210, Mongolia
| | - Michaël Descostes
- Mines Paris PSL, PSL University, Centre de Géosciences, 35 Rue St Honoré, Fontainebleau, 77300, France; ORANO Mining, 125 Avenue de Paris, Châtillon, Paris 92320, France
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He T, Liu J, Zhao B, Gong H, Feng Z, Liu S. The permeability evolution mechanism of ore-bearing strata during acid in-situ leaching of uranium: A case study of Bayanwula uranium mine in Inner Mongolia of China. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2024; 265:104390. [PMID: 38959822 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2024.104390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Uranium mainly comes from ISL of sandstone-type uranium deposits in China. The change of porosity and permeability caused by blockage of ore-bearing strata is one of the most serious problems in acid ISL of uranium. In this paper, the groundwater tracer test was carried out before and 1 year after ISL to explore the pore and permeability evolution characteristics of the ore-bearing layer during ISL. The test results showed that the leaching solution migrated along two seepage channels and the water-bearing medium was isotropic. After 1 year of ISL, the flow rate of the leaching solution decreased obviously. However, the flow rate of the leaching solution in slower channel decreased more than that in the faster channel in all directions, which was caused by the more adequate chemical reactions between the leaching solution and the minerals of the ore-bearing layer and the more corresponding precipitation in the slower channel. In addition, the flow rate along the direction of groundwater flow decreased less than that in the direction of vertical groundwater flow. This was closely related to the transformation of aquifer medium by hydrodynamic field. Initial stage of ISL, the occurrence of plugging is closely related to the precipitation-dissolution process of iron and aluminum minerals under the change of pH, which is accompanied by the continuous precipitation of gypsum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting He
- School of Water Resource and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China; State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Jinhui Liu
- School of Water Resource and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China; State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China.
| | - Bei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China; China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Huichun Gong
- School of Water Resource and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China; State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Zhangzhe Feng
- School of Water Resource and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China; State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Shiyu Liu
- School of Water Resource and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China; Kunming General Survey of Natural Resources Center, Geological Survey, China
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Miller C, Neidhart A, Hess K, Ali AMS, Benavidez A, Spilde M, Peterson E, Brearley A, Wang X, Dhanapala BD, Cerrato JM, Gonzalez-Estrella J, El Hayek E. Uranium accumulation in environmentally relevant microplastics and agricultural soil at acidic and circumneutral pH. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 926:171834. [PMID: 38521258 PMCID: PMC11141427 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
The co-occurrence of microplastics (MPs) with potentially toxic metals in the environment stresses the need to address their physicochemical interactions and the potential ecological and human health implications. Here, we investigated the reaction of aqueous U with agricultural soil and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) through the integration of batch experiments, microscopy, and spectroscopy. The aqueous initial concentration of U (100 μM) decreased between 98.6 and 99.2 % at pH 5 and between 86.2 and 98.9 % at pH 7.5 following the first half hour of reaction with 10 g of soil. In similar experimental conditions but with added HDPE, aqueous U decreased between 98.6 and 99.7 % at pH 5 and between 76.1 and 95.2 % at pH 7.5, suggesting that HDPE modified the accumulation of U in soil as a function of pH. Uranium-bearing precipitates on the cracked surface of HDPE were identified by SEM/EDS after two weeks of agitation in water at both pH 5 and 7.5. Accumulation of U on the near-surface region of reacted HDPE was confirmed by XPS. Our findings suggest that the precipitation of U was facilitated by the weathering of the surface of HDPE. These results provide insights about surface-mediated reactions of aqueous metals with MPs, contributing relevant information about the mobility of metals and MPs at co-contaminated agricultural sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey Miller
- Gerald May Department of Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering, MSC01 1070, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSC09 5360, University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Andrew Neidhart
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSC09 5360, University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, MSC03 2060, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Kendra Hess
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, EN0059, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 740784, USA
| | - Abdul-Mehdi S Ali
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Angelica Benavidez
- Center for Micro-Engineered Materials, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Michael Spilde
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Eric Peterson
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Adrian Brearley
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Xuewen Wang
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, EN0059, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 740784, USA
| | - B Dulani Dhanapala
- College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 740784, USA
| | - José M Cerrato
- Gerald May Department of Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering, MSC01 1070, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Jorge Gonzalez-Estrella
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, EN0059, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 740784, USA
| | - Eliane El Hayek
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSC09 5360, University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
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Zheng F, Zhai Y, Yue W, Teng Y. Coupling flow and electric fields to simulate migration and remediation of uranium in groundwater remediated by electroosmosis and a permeable reactive bio-barrier. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 346:118947. [PMID: 37699289 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Combined remediation technologies are increasingly being considered to uranium contaminated groundwater, such as the joint utilize of permeable reactive bio-barrier (Bio-PRB) and electrokinetic remediation (EKR). While the assessment of uranium plume evolution in the combined remediation system (CRS) have often been impeded by insufficient understanding of multi-physical field superposition. Therefore, advanced knowledge in multi-physical field coupling in groundwater flow will be crucial to the practical application of these techniques. A two-dimensional multi-physical field coupling model was constructed for predicting the uranium degradation in CRS. The study demonstrates that the coupling model is able to predict the uranium plume evolution and rapidly evaluate the performance of CRS components. The results show that field electric direction and flow field strength are the key factors that affect the retardation and remediation performance of CRS. The reverse electric field direction significantly affected the contact reaction time of uranium in the system. The uranium residence time in the reverse electric field was 3.8 d, which was significantly greater than the original electric field (2.0 d). Depending on the voltage, the reverse electric field direction was 16%-36% more efficient than the original direction. The strength of the flow field was about two orders of magnitude higher than that of the electric field, so the groundwater flow rate dominated remediation efficiency. Reducing the flow rate by 1/2 could improve the performance of the system by approximately 66%. In addition, the coupling model can be utilized to design standard CRS for real site of uranium contaminated groundwater. To meet the optimal performance, the direction of the electric field should be set opposite to the flow field. This work has successfully used a coupling model to predict uranium contaminant-plume evolution in CRS and estimate the performance of each component.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuxin Zheng
- Engineering Research Center for Groundwater Pollution Control and Remediation of Ministry of Education of China, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Yuanzheng Zhai
- Engineering Research Center for Groundwater Pollution Control and Remediation of Ministry of Education of China, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
| | - Weifeng Yue
- Engineering Research Center for Groundwater Pollution Control and Remediation of Ministry of Education of China, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Yanguo Teng
- Engineering Research Center for Groundwater Pollution Control and Remediation of Ministry of Education of China, College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
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Li F, Huang X, Wang S, Zhang H, Ma J, Ding Y, Ding D. Synergistic effects of hydrogen peroxide and phosphate on uranium(VI) immobilization: implications for the remediation of groundwater at decommissioned in situ leaching uranium mine. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:117132-117142. [PMID: 37864694 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30468-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
The processes of acid in situ leaching (ISL) uranium (U) mines cause the pollution of groundwater. Phosphate (PO43-) has the potential to immobilize U in groundwater through forming highly insoluble phosphate minerals, but the performance is highly restricted by low pH and high sulfate concentration. In this study, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and PO43- were synergistically used for immobilizing U based on the specific properties of groundwater from a decommissioned acid ISL U mine. The removal mechanisms of U and the stability of U on the formed minerals were elucidated by employing X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and kinetic experiments. Our results indicated that the removal of U by simultaneously adding H2O2 and PO43- was significantly higher than the removal of U by individually adding H2O2 or PO43-. The removal of U increased with increasing PO43- concentration from 20 to 200 mg L-1 while decreased with increasing H2O2 concentration from 0.003 to 0.3%. Specifically, the removal efficiency of U from groundwater reached 98% after the application of 0.003% H2O2 and 200 mg L-1 PO43-. Amorphous iron phosphate that preferentially formed at low H2O2 and high PO43- concentrations played a dominant role in U removal, while the formations of schwertmannite and crystalline iron phosphates may be also contributed to the removal of U. This was significantly different from the immobilization mechanism of U through the formation of uranyl phosphate minerals after adding phosphate. The kinetic experimental results suggested that the immobilized U had a good stability. Our research may provide a promising method for in situ remediating U-contaminated groundwater at the decommissioned acid ISL U mines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Li
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defense for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, People's Republic of China
- School of Resource & Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xixian Huang
- School of Resource & Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Shasha Wang
- School of Resource & Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defense for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, People's Republic of China
- School of Resource & Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianhong Ma
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defense for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, People's Republic of China
- School of Resource & Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Ding
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defense for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, People's Republic of China.
- School of Resource & Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, People's Republic of China.
| | - Dexin Ding
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defense for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, People's Republic of China
- School of Resource & Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, People's Republic of China
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Escario S, Seigneur N, Collet A, Regnault O, de Boissezon H, Lagneau V, Descostes M. A reactive transport model designed to predict the environmental footprint of an 'in-situ recovery' uranium exploitation. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2023; 254:104106. [PMID: 36634485 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2022.104106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Worldwide, most uranium production relies on the 'in situ recovery' (ISR) extraction technique. This consists of dissolving the ore using a leaching solution (acid or alkaline) directly within the deposit through a series of injection and extraction wells. Due to the nature of the injected ISR solutions, the water quality of the aquifer could be affected. Reactive transport modeling is a powerful tool for predicting fluid flow and geochemical reactions in ISR reservoirs. In this study we present a coupled 3D environmental geochemical model (EGM) (based on the HYTEC reactive transport software), capable of predicting the physico-chemical conditions in an acid-leaching ISR uranium mine and its environmental footprint on the aquifer in the years following the closure of the production block. The model was validated at the KATCO mine (Kazakhstan) on two different and independent production blocks, over 10 years after their closure. The model shows that incorporating two main geochemical processes, (1) cationic sorption on clay surfaces (smectite-beidellite) and (2) precipitation of gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O), successfully reproduces the measured well data (pH, acidity and SO4) over short- and long-term time scales. Clay surface sites remain mostly saturated in protons during the production phase. Simulations show that sorbed protons on the clay surfaces maintains the acid conditions for a longer period of time. The environmental impact model was also compared to a pre-existing model specifically developed for production simulation purposes: differences are observed as expected for the uranium production, but also for the impact distances, due to differences in the considered reactive mineralogical paragenesis. Thus, the choice of geochemical model should be made with due regard for the desired objectives. This work will assist the mine operator by providing a tool capable of assessing both the short- and long-term environmental footprints of the ISR production operation conditions and of identifying the best remediation strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Escario
- PSL University/Mines ParisTech, Centre de Géosciences, 35 rue Saint-Honoré, 77305 Fontainebleau, France; ORANO Mining, 125 avenue de Paris, 92320 Châtillon, France.
| | - N Seigneur
- PSL University/Mines ParisTech, Centre de Géosciences, 35 rue Saint-Honoré, 77305 Fontainebleau, France
| | - A Collet
- PSL University/Mines ParisTech, Centre de Géosciences, 35 rue Saint-Honoré, 77305 Fontainebleau, France; ORANO Mining, 125 avenue de Paris, 92320 Châtillon, France
| | - O Regnault
- PSL University/Mines ParisTech, Centre de Géosciences, 35 rue Saint-Honoré, 77305 Fontainebleau, France; ORANO Mining, 125 avenue de Paris, 92320 Châtillon, France
| | - H de Boissezon
- ORANO Mining, 125 avenue de Paris, 92320 Châtillon, France
| | - V Lagneau
- PSL University/Mines ParisTech, Centre de Géosciences, 35 rue Saint-Honoré, 77305 Fontainebleau, France
| | - M Descostes
- PSL University/Mines ParisTech, Centre de Géosciences, 35 rue Saint-Honoré, 77305 Fontainebleau, France; ORANO Mining, 125 avenue de Paris, 92320 Châtillon, France
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Zhao B, Sun Z, Guo Y, Zhou Z, Wang X, Ke P. Occurrence characteristics of uranium mineral-related substances in various environmental media in China: A critical review. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 441:129856. [PMID: 36115096 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The high demand and extensive exploitation of uranium resources resulted in the ubiquity and high detection levels of uranium mineral-related substances in various environment media in China. The potential adverse effects of uranium mineral-related substances on environment and human health have received extensive attention. Therefore, we reviewed the occurrence and spatial distribution of uranium mineral-related substances in various basins and environmental media in China to obtain an overall understanding. We collected information from over 70 papers reporting the occurrence and distribution of uranium mineral-related substances in multiple environments and 183 articles on the genesis of uranium deposits in China from 2001 to 2021. Then the occurrence of uranium mineral-related substances and corresponding correlation in different basins, environmental media and depth ranges were compared in detail. And this review assessed the uranium mineral-related pollution in China based on various environmental quality standards of China, EPA and WHO, and proposed the priority uranium mineral-related heavy metals and radioactive substances based on cluster analysis. This review showed that there were obvious differences in the occurrence characteristics of various uranium mineral-related substances in different environmental media, especially in the surrounding environment of sandstone type and hard rock type uranium deposits. These results will guide us to tackle the challenge of uranium mineral-related pollution in China. The correlation analysis of uranium mineral-related pollutants in different environmental media and the identification of priority pollutants will also provide instructions for us to control uranium mineral-related pollution. Finally, we put forward a series of urgent and practical suggestions on risk management and control of uranium mining according to the current situation of uranium mining environment in China, which is of guiding significance for the realization of "green uranium mining".
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Affiliation(s)
- Bei Zhao
- China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Zhanxue Sun
- China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China; State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China.
| | - Yadan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Zhongkui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Xuegang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Pingchao Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
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Restoration Insights Gained from a Field Deployment of Dithionite and Acetate at a Uranium In Situ Recovery Mine. MINERALS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/min12060711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Mining uranium by in situ recovery (ISR) typically involves injecting an oxidant and a complexing agent to mobilize and extract uranium in a saturated ore zone. This strategy involves less infrastructure and invasive techniques than traditional mining, but ISR often results in persistently elevated concentrations of U and other contaminants of concern in groundwater after mining. These concentrations may remain elevated for an extended period without remediation. Here, we describe a field experiment at an ISR facility in which both a chemical reductant (sodium dithionite) and a biostimulant (sodium acetate) were sequentially introduced into a previously mined ore zone in an attempt to establish reducing geochemical conditions that, in principle, should decrease and stabilize aqueous U concentrations. While several lines of evidence indicated that reducing conditions were established, U concentrations did not decrease, and in fact increased after the amendment deployments. We discuss likely reasons for this behavior, and we also discuss how the results provide insights into improvements that could be made to the restoration process to benefit from the seemingly detrimental behavior.
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10
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New Geochemical Framework and Geographic Information System Methodologies to Assess Element Occurrence, Persistence, and Mobility in Groundwater and Surface Water. MINERALS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/min12040411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study presents a geochemical framework and geographic information system (GIS) method for assessing the intrinsic potential of surface water and groundwater to mobilize arsenic, molybdenum, selenium, uranium, and vanadium. The method was created using published groundwater and surface water geochemical data from the National Uranium Resource Evaluation database for 2302 groundwater and 915 surface water samples. The method was evaluated using published groundwater geochemical data from the Texas Water Development Board. Geochemical data were analyzed in GIS. Samples were categorized by environmental condition, which was determined by using reduction–oxidation—as indicated by pe—and pH ranges for each sample based on geochemical mobility frameworks developed by Smith (2007) and Perel’man (1986). Reduction–oxidation and pH influence the occurrence, persistence, and mobility of arsenic, molybdenum, selenium, uranium, and vanadium in groundwater and surface water. Reduction–oxidation categories were assigned to water samples using concentrations of redox-active constituents, including dissolved oxygen, iron, manganese, and sulfur. The presence of iron substrates and hydrogen sulfides were considered in relation to mobility mechanisms. Twelve-digit hydrologic unit code (HUC) boundaries were used in GIS as analysis areas to determine the most commonly occurring environmental condition in each HUC. The resulting maps identify the environmental conditions in different areas that can be used to identify where the elements are mobile. This methodology provides a systematic approach to identify areas where elements in groundwater and surface water may occur and persist and may be transferable to other locations.
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11
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Zhu F, Zhao B, Min W, Li J. Characteristics of groundwater microbial communities and the correlation with the environmental factors in a decommissioned acid in-situ uranium mine. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1078393. [PMID: 36909843 PMCID: PMC9992980 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1078393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Microorganisms play an important role in the bioremediation process for the decommissioned acid in-situ leaching uranium mine. It is crucial to understand the original microbial community characteristics before the in-situ bioremediation. However, there are limited studies on the groundwater microbial characteristics in the decommissioned acid in-situ uranium mine. To this end, we collected groundwater samples, including the groundwater that originally residual in the borehole (RW) and the aquifer water (AW), from a decommissioned acid in-situ uranium mine in the southern margin of Ili Basin in Xinjiang, China. The occurrence characteristics of the groundwater microbial communities and their correlation with environmental factors were systematically studied based on the high throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing data and geochemical data. Results found that the AW samples had higher alpha- and beta- diversity than the RW samples. The relative abundance of Sporosarcina, Sulfobacillus, Pedobacter and Pseudomonas were significantly different in the AW and RW samples, which had significant correlation with pH, metals, and sulfate, etc. A series of reducing microorganisms were discovered, such as sulfate reduction (e.g., Desulfosporosinus) and metal reduction (e.g., Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Clostridium, Pseudomonas, and Rhodanobacter), which have the potential to attenuate sulfate and uranium in groundwater. In addition, we found that pH and redox potential (Eh) were the dominant environmental factors affecting the microbial composition. This study extends our knowledge of microbial community structure changes in the decommissioned acid in-situ uranium mine and has positive implications for assessing the potential of natural attenuation and bioremediation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.,School of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Bei Zhao
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, China
| | - Wenwen Min
- School of Information Science and Engineering, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Jiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.,School of Chemistry, Biology and Materials Science, East China University of Technology, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
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El Hayek E, Medina S, Guo J, Noureddine A, Zychowski KE, Hunter R, Velasco CA, Wiesse M, Maestas-Olguin A, Brinker CJ, Brearley A, Spilde M, Howard T, Lauer FT, Herbert G, Ali AM, Burchiel S, Campen MJ, Cerrato JM. Uptake and Toxicity of Respirable Carbon-Rich Uranium-Bearing Particles: Insights into the Role of Particulates in Uranium Toxicity. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:9949-9957. [PMID: 34235927 PMCID: PMC8413144 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c01205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Particulate matter (PM) presents an environmental health risk for communities residing close to uranium (U) mine sites. However, the role of the particulate form of U on its cellular toxicity is still poorly understood. Here, we investigated the cellular uptake and toxicity of C-rich U-bearing particles as a model organic particulate containing uranyl citrate over a range of environmentally relevant concentrations of U (0-445 μM). The cytotoxicity of C-rich U-bearing particles in human epithelial cells (A549) was U-dose-dependent. No cytotoxic effects were detected with soluble U doses. Carbon-rich U-bearing particles with a wide size distribution (<10 μm) presented 2.7 times higher U uptake into cells than the particles with a narrow size distribution (<1 μm) at 100 μM U concentration. TEM-EDS analysis identified the intracellular translocation of clusters of C-rich U-bearing particles. The accumulation of C-rich U-bearing particles induced DNA damage and cytotoxicity as indicated by the increased phosphorylation of the histone H2AX and cell death, respectively. These findings reveal the toxicity of the particulate form of U under environmentally relevant heterogeneous size distributions. Our study opens new avenues for future investigations on the health impacts resulting from environmental exposures to the particulate form of U near mine sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliane El Hayek
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, MSC03 2060, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSC09 5360, University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Sebastian Medina
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSC09 5360, University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
- Department of Biology, New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, New Mexico 87701, United States
| | - Jimin Guo
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, MSC01 1120, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, Molecular Medicine, MSC08 4720, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Achraf Noureddine
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, MSC01 1120, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Katherine E Zychowski
- Department of Biobehavioral Health and Data Sciences, MSC09 5350, University of New Mexico College of Nursing, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, United States
| | - Russell Hunter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSC09 5360, University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Carmen A Velasco
- Department of Civil Engineering, MSC01 1070, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
- Chemical Engineering Faculty, Central University of Ecuador, Ciudad Universitaria, Ritter s/n & Bolivia, P.O. Box 17-01-3972, Quito 170129, Ecuador
| | - Marco Wiesse
- Department of Civil Engineering, MSC01 1070, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Angelea Maestas-Olguin
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, MSC01 1120, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - C Jeffrey Brinker
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, MSC01 1120, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Adrian Brearley
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Michael Spilde
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Tamara Howard
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, MSC08 4750, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Fredine T Lauer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSC09 5360, University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Guy Herbert
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSC09 5360, University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Abdul Mehdi Ali
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Scott Burchiel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSC09 5360, University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Matthew J Campen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSC09 5360, University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - José M Cerrato
- Department of Civil Engineering, MSC01 1070, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
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13
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Chen L, Liu J, Zhang W, Zhou J, Luo D, Li Z. Uranium (U) source, speciation, uptake, toxicity and bioremediation strategies in soil-plant system: A review. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 413:125319. [PMID: 33582470 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Uranium(U), a highly toxic radionuclide, is becoming a great threat to soil health development, as returning nuclear waste containing U into the soil systems is increased. Numerous studies have focused on: i) tracing the source in U contaminated soils; ii) exploring U geochemistry; and iii) assessing U phyto-uptake and its toxicity to plants. Yet, there are few literature reviews that systematically summarized the U in soil-plant system in past decade. Thus, we present its source, geochemical behavior, uptake, toxicity, detoxification, and bioremediation strategies based on available data, especially published from 2018 to 2021. In this review, we examine processes that can lead to the soil U contamination, indicating that mining activities are currently the main sources. We discuss the relationship between U bioavailability in the soil-plant system and soil conditions including redox potential, soil pH, organic matter, and microorganisms. We then review the soil-plant transfer of U, finding that U mainly accumulates in roots with a quite limited translocation. However, plants such as willow, water lily, and sesban are reported to translocate high U levels from roots to aerial parts. Indeed, U does not possess any identified biological role, but provokes numerous deleterious effects such as reducing seed germination, inhibiting plant growth, depressing photosynthesis, interfering with nutrient uptake, as well as oxidative damage and genotoxicity. Yet, plants tolerate U toxicity via various defense strategies including antioxidant enzymes, compartmentalization, and phytochelatin. Moreover, we review two biological remediation strategies for U-contaminated soil: (i) phytoremediation and (ii) microbial remediation. They are quite low-cost and eco-friendly compared with traditional physical or chemical remediation technologies. Finally, we conclude some promising research challenges regarding U biogeochemical behavior in soil-plant systems. This review, thus, further indicates that the combined application of U low accumulators and microbial inoculants may be an effective strategy for the bioremediation of U-contaminated soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, Gansu Tech Innovation Center of Western China Grassland Industry; College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, PR China
| | - Jinrong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, Gansu Tech Innovation Center of Western China Grassland Industry; College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, PR China.
| | - Weixiong Zhang
- Third Institute Geological and Mineral Exploration of Gansu Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Lanzhou 730030, Gansu, PR China
| | - Jiqiang Zhou
- Gansu Nonferrous Engineering Exploration & Design Research Institute, Lanzhou 730030, Gansu, PR China
| | - Danqi Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, Gansu Tech Innovation Center of Western China Grassland Industry; College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, PR China
| | - Zimin Li
- Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Earth and Life Institute, Soil Science, Louvain-La-Neuve 1348, Belgium.
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de Boissezon H, Levy L, Jakymiw C, Distinguin M, Guerin F, Descostes M. Modeling uranium and 226Ra mobility during and after an acidic in situ recovery test (Dulaan Uul, Mongolia). JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2020; 235:103711. [PMID: 32949982 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2020.103711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This article presents the results of groundwater monitoring over a period of six years and the interpretation of these results by a reactive transport model, following an In Situ Recovery (ISR) test on the Dulaan Uul uranium deposit in Mongolia. An environmental monitoring survey was set up using 17 piezometers, from which it has been possible to describe the changes in the water composition before, during and after the ISR test. The water quality before the start of mining activities rendered it unfit for human consumption. During and after the test, a descent of the saline plume was observed, resulting in a dilution of the injection solutions. After a rapid decrease to pH = 1.13 during the production phase of the ISR test, the pH stabilized at around 4 in the production area and 5.5 below the production cell one year after the end of the test. Uranium and radium were being naturally attenuated. Uranium returned to background concentrations (0.3 mg/L) after two years and the measured 226Ra concentrations represent no more than 10% of the expected concentrations during production (75 Bq/L). The modeling of the contaminants of concern mobility, namely pH and concentrations of sulfate, uranium and 226Ra, is based on several key complementary mechanisms: density flow, cation exchange with clay minerals and co-precipitation of 226Ra in the barite. The modeling results show that the observed plume descent and sulfate dilution can only be predicted if consideration of a high-density flow is included. Similarly, the changes in pH and 226Ra concentration are only correctly predicted when the cationic exchanges with the clays and the co-precipitation reaction within the barite using the solid solution theory are integrated into the models. Finally, the proper representation of the changes in water composition at the scale of the test requires the use of a sufficiently fine mesh (1 m × 1 m cell) to take into account the spatial variability of hydrogeological (permeability distribution in particular) and geological (reduced, oxidized and mineralized facies distributions) parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- H de Boissezon
- ORANO Mining, R&D Dept, 125 Avenue de Paris, 92320 Chatillon, France.
| | - L Levy
- ORANO Mining, R&D Dept, 125 Avenue de Paris, 92320 Chatillon, France
| | - C Jakymiw
- ORANO Mining, R&D Dept, 125 Avenue de Paris, 92320 Chatillon, France
| | - M Distinguin
- COGEGOBI, ICC Tower, Jamyan Gun Street 9, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - F Guerin
- ORANO Mining, R&D Dept, 125 Avenue de Paris, 92320 Chatillon, France
| | - M Descostes
- ORANO Mining, R&D Dept, 125 Avenue de Paris, 92320 Chatillon, France
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15
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Gonzalez-Estrella J, Meza I, Burns AJ, Ali AMS, Lezama-Pacheco JS, Lichtner P, Shaikh N, Fendorf S, Cerrato JM. Effect of Bicarbonate, Calcium, and pH on the Reactivity of As(V) and U(VI) Mixtures. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:3979-3987. [PMID: 32176846 PMCID: PMC7189768 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b06063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Natural or anthropogenic processes can increase the concentration of uranium (U) and arsenic (As) above the maximum contaminant levels in water sources. Bicarbonate and calcium (Ca) can have major impacts on U speciation and can affect the reactivity between U and As. We therefore investigated the reactivity of aqueous U and As mixtures with bicarbonate and Ca for acidic and neutral pH conditions. In experiments performed with 1 mM U and As mixtures, 10 mM Ca, and without added bicarbonate (pCO2 = 3.5), aqueous U decreased to <0.25 mM at pH 3 and 7. Aqueous As decreased the most at pH 3 (∼0.125 mM). Experiments initiated with 0.005 mM As and U showed similar trends. X-ray spectroscopy (i.e., XAS and EDX) and diffraction indicated that U-As-Ca- and U-Ca-bearing solids resemble uranospinite [Ca(UO2)2(AsO4)2·10H2O] and becquerelite [Ca(UO2)6O4(OH)6·8(H2O)]. These findings suggest that U-As-Ca-bearing solids formed in mixed solutions are stable at pH 3. However, the dissolution of U-As-Ca and U-Ca-bearing solids at pH 7 was observed in reactors containing 10 mM bicarbonate and Ca, suggesting a kinetic reaction of aqueous uranyl-calcium-carbonate complexation. Our study provides new insights regarding U and As mobilization for risk assessment and remediation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Gonzalez-Estrella
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, University of New Mexico, MSC01 1070, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
- Center for Water and the Environment, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Isabel Meza
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, University of New Mexico, MSC01 1070, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Annie Jane Burns
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of New Mexico, MSC03 2040, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Abdul-Mehdi S Ali
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, MSC01 1070, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Juan S Lezama-Pacheco
- Department of Environmental Earth System Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, United States
| | - Peter Lichtner
- Center for Water and the Environment, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Nabil Shaikh
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, University of New Mexico, MSC01 1070, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Scott Fendorf
- Department of Environmental Earth System Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, United States
| | - José M Cerrato
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, University of New Mexico, MSC01 1070, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
- Center for Water and the Environment, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
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16
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Lusa M, Knuutinen J, Lindgren M, Virkanen J, Bomberg M. Microbial communities in a former pilot-scale uranium mine in Eastern Finland - Association with radium immobilization. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 686:619-640. [PMID: 31185409 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The bacterial, fungal and archaeal communities were characterized in 17 top soil organic and mineral layer samples and in top sediment samples of the Paukkajanvaara area, a former pilot-scale uranium mine, located in Eno, Eastern Finland, using amplicon sequencing and qPCR. Soil and sediment samples were in addition analyzed for radium (226Ra), sulfate (SO42-), nitrate (NO3-) and phosphate (PO43-) concentrations. New bacterial strains, representing Pseudomonas spp., were isolated from the mine and reference area and used in laboratory experiments on uptake and leaching of radium (Ra). The effect of these strains on the sulfate leaching from the soil samples was also tested in vitro. Between 6 × 106 and 5 × 108 copies g-1 DW (dry weight) of bacterial 16S rRNA genes, 5 × 105-1 × 108 copies g-1 DW archaeal 16S rRNA genes and 1 × 105-1 × 108 copies g-1 DW fungal 5.8S rRNA genes were detected in the samples. A total of 814, 54 and 167 bacterial, archaeal and fungal genera, respectively, were identified. Proteobacteria, Euryarchaeota and Mortiriella were the dominant bacterial, archaeal and fungal phyla, respectively. All tested Pseudomonas spp. strains isolates from Paukkajanvaara removed Ra from the solution, but the amount of removed Ra depended on incubation conditions (temperature, time and nutrient broth). The highest removal of Ra (5320 L/kg DW) was observed by the Pseudomonas sp. strain T5-6-I at 37 °C. All Pseudomonas spp. strains decreased the release of Ra from soil with an average of 23% while simultaneously increasing the concentration of SO42- in the solution by 11%. As Pseudomonas spp. were frequent in both the sequence data and the cultures, these bacteria may play an important role in the immobilization of Ra in the Paukkajanvaara mine area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merja Lusa
- Department of Chemistry, Radiochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Jenna Knuutinen
- Department of Chemistry, Radiochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marcus Lindgren
- Department of Chemistry, Radiochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juhani Virkanen
- Department of Geosciences and Geography, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Malin Bomberg
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Espoo, Finland
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17
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Stanley DM, Wilkin RT. Solution equilibria of uranyl minerals: Role of the common groundwater ions calcium and carbonate. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2019; 377:315-320. [PMID: 31173981 PMCID: PMC7369140 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.05.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the factors that govern aqueous solubility of uranyl minerals is important for predicting uranium mobility in groundwater and for designing effective remediation strategies. The uranyl-containing minerals metaschoepite [UO3∙(2H2O)] and uranophane [Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2·5H2O] were synthesized and evaluated in batch solubility experiments conducted in the presence of common groundwater ions: calcium, bicarbonate/carbonate, and dissolved silica. Solid-phase characterization revealed the expected structural and thermogravimetric properties of metaschoepite and uranophane. Metaschoepite solubility in carbonate-free water followed a u-shaped pH dependency with minimum solubility near pH 8.5; uranium concentrations at pH ≳ 8.5 were approximately equivalent to the reference value for safe drinking water established by the EPA (30 μg/L). With increasing bicarbonate/carbonate concentration (1 mM - 50 mM) the solubility of metaschoepite increased, presumably due to the formation of uranyl-carbonate complexes. However, the experimental concentrations of uranium were lower than concentrations predicted from accepted complexation constants. For uranophane, equilibrium uranium concentrations were < 75 μg/L at typical groundwater concentrations of calcium and dissolved silica (pH > 7). The diversity of uranyl minerals that possibly form in the presence of common groundwater species: Ca-Mg-Na-K-Si-bicarbonate/carbonate-sulfate-chloride, has not been fully explored with respect to understanding potential mineral transformations and impacts on uranium solubility and mobility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dovie M Stanley
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Groundwater, Watershed, and Ecosystem Restoration Division, Ada, OK, 74820, United States
| | - Richard T Wilkin
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Groundwater, Watershed, and Ecosystem Restoration Division, Ada, OK, 74820, United States.
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18
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Lakaniemi AM, Douglas GB, Kaksonen AH. Engineering and kinetic aspects of bacterial uranium reduction for the remediation of uranium contaminated environments. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2019; 371:198-212. [PMID: 30851673 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.02.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Biological reduction of soluble uranium from U(VI) to insoluble U(IV) coupled to the oxidation of an electron donor (hydrogen or organic compounds) is a potentially cost-efficient way to reduce the U concentrations in contaminated waters to below regulatory limits. A variety of microorganisms originating from both U contaminated and non-contaminated environments have demonstrated U(VI) reduction capacity under anaerobic conditions. Bioreduction of U(VI) is considered especially promising for in situ remediation, where the activity of indigenous microorganisms is stimulated by supplying a suitable electron donor to the subsurface to contain U contamination to a specific location in a sparingly soluble form. Less studied microbial biofilm-based bioreactors and bioelectrochemical systems have also shown potential for efficient U(VI) reduction to remove U from contaminated water streams. This review compares the advantages and challenges of U(VI)-reducing in situ remediation processes, bioreactors and bioelectrochemical systems. In addition, the current knowledge of U(VI) bioreduction mechanisms and factors affecting U(VI) reduction kinetics (e.g. pH, temperature, and the chemical composition of the contaminated water) are discussed, as both of these aspects are important in designing efficient remediation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aino-Maija Lakaniemi
- Tampere University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, P.O. Box 541, FI- 33104, Tampere University, Finland; CSIRO Land and Water, 147 Underwood Avenue, Floreat, Western Australia, 6014, Australia.
| | - Grant B Douglas
- CSIRO Land and Water, 147 Underwood Avenue, Floreat, Western Australia, 6014, Australia
| | - Anna H Kaksonen
- CSIRO Land and Water, 147 Underwood Avenue, Floreat, Western Australia, 6014, Australia
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19
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20
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Coral T, Descostes M, De Boissezon H, Bernier-Latmani R, de Alencastro LF, Rossi P. Microbial communities associated with uranium in-situ recovery mining process are related to acid mine drainage assemblages. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 628-629:26-35. [PMID: 29428857 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.01.321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A large fraction (47%) of the world's uranium is mined by a technique called "In Situ Recovery" (ISR). This mining technique involves the injection of a leaching fluid (acidic or alkaline) into a uranium-bearing aquifer and the pumping of the resulting solution through cation exchange columns for the recovery of dissolved uranium. The present study reports the in-depth alterations brought to autochthonous microbial communities during acidic ISR activities. Water samples were collected from a uranium roll-front deposit that is part of an ISR mine in operation (Tortkuduk, Kazakhstan). Water samples were obtained at a depth of ca 500 m below ground level from several zones of the Uyuk aquifer following the natural redox zonation inherited from the roll front deposit, including the native mineralized orebody and both upstream and downstream adjacent locations. Samples were collected equally from both the entrance and the exit of the uranium concentration plant. Next-generation sequencing data showed that the redox gradient shaped the community structures, within the anaerobic, reduced, and oligotrophic habitats of the native aquifer zones. Acid injection induced drastic changes in the structures of these communities, with a large decrease in both cell numbers and diversity. Communities present in the acidified (pH values < 2) mining areas exhibited similarities to those present in acid mine drainage, with the dominance of Sulfobacillus sp., Leptospirillum sp. and Acidithiobacillus sp., as well as the archaean Ferroplasma sp. Communities located up- and downstream of the mineralized zone under ISR and affected by acidic fluids were blended with additional facultative anaerobic and acidophilic microorganisms. These mixed biomes may be suitable communities for the natural attenuation of ISR mining-affected subsurface through the reduction of metals and sulfate. Assessing the effect of acidification on the microbial community is critical to evaluating the potential for natural attenuation or active bioremediation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Coral
- Central Environmental Laboratory, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Station 2, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michaël Descostes
- AREVA Mines, R&D Dpt., Tour AREVA, 1, place Jean Millier, 92084 Paris, La Défense, France
| | - Hélène De Boissezon
- AREVA Mines, R&D Dpt., Tour AREVA, 1, place Jean Millier, 92084 Paris, La Défense, France
| | - Rizlan Bernier-Latmani
- Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Station 6, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Luiz Felippe de Alencastro
- Central Environmental Laboratory, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Station 2, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pierre Rossi
- Central Environmental Laboratory, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Station 2, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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