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Shabbir S, Yang N, Wang D. Enhanced uranium extraction from seawater: from the viewpoint of kinetics and thermodynamics. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:4937-4960. [PMID: 38362657 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr05905g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Uranium extraction from seawater (UES) is recognized as one of the seven pivotal chemical separations with the potential to revolutionize global paradigms. The forthcoming decade is anticipated to witness a surge in UES, driven by escalating energy demands. The oceanic reservoirs, possessing uranium quantities approximately 1000-fold higher than terrestrial mines, present a more sustainable and environmentally benign alternative. Empirical evidence from historical research indicates that adsorption emerges as the most efficacious process for uranium recovery from seawater, considering operational feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and selectivity. Over the years, scientific exploration has led to the development of a plethora of adsorbents with superior adsorption capacity. It would be efficient to design materials with a deep understanding of the adsorption from the perspective of kinetics and thermodynamics. Here, we summarize recent advancements in UES technology and the contemporary challenges encountered in this domain. Furthermore, we present our perspectives on the future trajectory of UES and finally offer our insights into this subject.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sania Shabbir
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical Preparation and Delivery, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Nailiang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical Preparation and Delivery, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Dan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical Preparation and Delivery, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P. R. China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
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Cao M, Peng Q, Wang Y, Luo G, Feng L, Zhao S, Yuan Y, Wang N. High-efficiency uranium extraction from seawater by low-cost natural protein hydrogel. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 242:124792. [PMID: 37169051 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Utilization of uranium resource in seawater are highly possible to meet the growth demands for the sustainable development of nuclear energy industry. Bio-adsorbents exhibit high performance in terms of adsorption selectivity, equilibrium speed, and environmental friendliness, while the high fabrication cost hinders their practical application. In this study, a low-cost soy protein isolate (SPI) is used to fabricate adsorbent named SPI hydrogel for uranium extraction. This is the first report on applying bio-adsorbents derived from low-cost natural proteins for uranium extraction. The SPI hydrogel showed high uranium adsorption capacity of 53.94 mg g-1 in simulated nuclear wastewater and 5.29 mg g-1 is achieved in natural seawater, which is higher than all currently available adsorbents based on non-modified natural biomolecules. The amino and oxygen-containing groups are identified as the functional groups for uranyl binding by providing four oxygen and two nitrogen atoms to form equatorial coordination with uranyl, which guarantees the high binding selectivity and affinity to uranyl ions. The low cost for accessing the raw material together with the environmental friendliness, high salt tolerance, high uranium adsorption ability, and high selectivity to uranium, make SPI hydrogel a promising adsorbent for uranium extraction from seawater and nuclear wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Qin Peng
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou 571158, China.
| | - Yue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Guangsheng Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Lijuan Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Shilei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Yihui Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
| | - Ning Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
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MIL-100(Fe)/g-C 3N 4 composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity for UO 22+ reduction under visible light. PHOTOCHEMICAL & PHOTOBIOLOGICAL SCIENCES : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN PHOTOCHEMISTRY ASSOCIATION AND THE EUROPEAN SOCIETY FOR PHOTOBIOLOGY 2023; 22:59-71. [PMID: 36087239 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-022-00298-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
As a clean energy source, nuclear energy can gradually replace traditional fossil energy sources, and is an important means to achieve the "double carbon goal". Uranium-containing wastewater is inevitable in the development of nuclear energy. The composites MIL/CNx of MOF material MIL-100(Fe) and carbon nitride (CN) were obtained by a simple solvo-thermal method using iron nitrate, homophthalic acid and CN. The material MIL-100(Fe) with high specific surface area was compounded with CN to increase the in-plane adsorption sites, which could adsorb 30% of uranium in solution during the dark reaction. The close interfacial contact of the two materials effectively inhibited the complexation of photo-generated electrons and holes and promotes electron migration. These two synergistic effects improved their overall photocatalytic reduction capacity, which could reduce 97% of UO22+ in solution in 20 min. The UO22+ removal efficiency of MIL/CN0.1 was 2.3 and 1.6 times higher than that of CN and MIL-100(Fe), respectively. In addition, MIL/CN0.1 was stable in reducing uranium during the five cycles of the experiment.
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Tsushima S, Takao K. Hydrophobic core formation and secondary structure elements in uranyl(VI)-binding peptides. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:4455-4461. [PMID: 35113097 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp05401e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Cyclic peptides as well as a modified EF-hand motif of calmodulin have been newly designed to achieve high affinity towards uranyl(VI). Cyclic peptides may be engineered to bind uranyl(VI) to its backbone under acidic conditions, which may enhance its selectivity. For the modified EF-hand motif of calmodulin, strong electrostatic interactions between uranyl(VI) and negatively charged side chains play an important role in achieving high affinity; however, it is also essential to have a secondary structure element and formation of hydrophobic cores in the metal-bound state of the peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoru Tsushima
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01328, Dresden, Germany. .,World Research Hub Initiative (WRHI), Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 152-8550 Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichiro Takao
- Laboratory for Zero-Carbon Energy, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 152-8550 Tokyo, Japan
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Li S, Zhu Q, Luo J, Shu Y, Guo K, Xie J, Xiao F, He S. Application Progress of Deinococcus radiodurans in Biological Treatment of Radioactive Uranium-Containing Wastewater. Indian J Microbiol 2021; 61:417-426. [PMID: 34744197 DOI: 10.1007/s12088-021-00969-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Radioactive uranium wastewater contains a large amount of radionuclide uranium and other heavy metal ions. The radioactive uranium wastewater discharged into the environment will not only pollute the natural environment, but also threat human health. Therefore, the treatment of radioactive uranium wastewater is a current research focus for many researchers. The treatment in radioactive uranium wastewater mainly includes physical, chemical and biological methods. At present, the using of biological treatment to treat uranium in radioactive uranium wastewater has been gradually shown its superiority and advantages. Deinococcus radiodurans is a famous microorganism with the most radiation resistant to ionizing radiation in the world, and can also resist various other extreme pressures. D. radiodurans can be directly used for the adsorption of uranium in radioactive waste water, and it can also transform other functional genes into D. radiodurans to construct genetically engineered bacteria, and then applied to the treatment of radioactive uranium containing wastewater. Radionuclides uranium in radioactive uranium-containing wastewater treated by D. radiodurans involves a lot of mechanisms. This article reviews currently the application of D. radiodurans that directly or construct genetically engineered bacteria in the treatment of radioactive uranium wastewater and discusses the mechanism of D. radiodurans in bioremediation of uranium. The application of constructing an engineered bacteria of D. radiodurans with powerful functions in uranium-containing wastewater is prospected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Li
- School of Public Health, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001 Hunan China
| | - Qiqi Zhu
- School of Public Health, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001 Hunan China
| | - Jiaqi Luo
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001 Hunan China
| | - Yangzhen Shu
- School of Resources Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001 Hunan China
| | - Kexin Guo
- School of Public Health, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001 Hunan China
| | - Jingxi Xie
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001 Hunan China
| | - Fangzhu Xiao
- School of Public Health, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001 Hunan China
| | - Shuya He
- School of Public Health, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001 Hunan China
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Ma M, Wang R, Xu L, Xu M, Liu S. Emerging health risks and underlying toxicological mechanisms of uranium contamination: Lessons from the past two decades. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 145:106107. [PMID: 32932066 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Uranium contamination is a global health concern. Regarding natural or anthropogenic uranium contamination, the major sources of concern are groundwater, mining, phosphate fertilizers, nuclear facilities, and military activities. Many epidemiological and laboratory studies have demonstrated that environmental and occupational uranium exposure can induce multifarious health problems. Uranium exposure may cause health risks because of its chemotoxicity and radiotoxicity in natural or anthropogenic scenarios: the former is generally thought to play a more significant role with regard to the natural uranium exposure, and the latter is more relevant to enriched uranium exposure. The understanding of the health risks and underlying toxicological mechanisms of uranium remains at a preliminary stage, and many controversial findings require further research. In order to present state-of-the-art status in this field, this review will primarily focus on the chemotoxicity of uranium, rather than its radiotoxicity, as well as the involved toxicological mechanisms. First, the natural or anthropogenic uranium contamination scenarios will be briefly summarized. Second, the health risks upon natural uranium exposure, for example, nephrotoxicity, bone toxicity, reproductive toxicity, hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and pulmonary toxicity, will be discussed based on the reported epidemiological cases and laboratory studies. Third, the recent advances regarding the toxicological mechanisms of uranium-induced chemotoxicity will be highlighted, including oxidative stress, genetic damage, protein impairment, inflammation, and metabolic disorder. Finally, the gaps and challenges in the knowledge of uranium-induced chemotoxicity and underlying mechanisms will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ruixia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lining Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ming Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Sijin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Lin YW. Uranyl Binding to Proteins and Structural-Functional Impacts. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10030457. [PMID: 32187982 PMCID: PMC7175365 DOI: 10.3390/biom10030457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The widespread use of uranium for civilian purposes causes a worldwide concern of its threat to human health due to the long-lived radioactivity of uranium and the high toxicity of uranyl ion (UO22+). Although uranyl–protein/DNA interactions have been known for decades, fewer advances are made in understanding their structural-functional impacts. Instead of focusing only on the structural information, this article aims to review the recent advances in understanding the binding of uranyl to proteins in either potential, native, or artificial metal-binding sites, and the structural-functional impacts of uranyl–protein interactions, such as inducing conformational changes and disrupting protein-protein/DNA/ligand interactions. Photo-induced protein/DNA cleavages, as well as other impacts, are also highlighted. These advances shed light on the structure-function relationship of proteins, especially for metalloproteins, as impacted by uranyl–protein interactions. It is desired to seek approaches for biological remediation of uranyl ions, and ultimately make a full use of the double-edged sword of uranium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Wu Lin
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China; ; Tel.: +86-734-8578079
- Laboratory of Protein Structure and Function, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory for the Design and Application of Actinide Complexes, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
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Hoarau M, Koebke KJ, Chen Z, Marsh ENG. Probing Metal Ion Discrimination in a Protein Designed to Bind Uranyl Cation With Femtomolar Affinity. Front Mol Biosci 2019; 6:73. [PMID: 31552264 PMCID: PMC6736553 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2019.00073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The design of metal-binding sites in proteins that combine high affinity with high selectivity for the desired metal ion remains a challenging goal. Recently, a protein designed to display femtomolar affinity for UO22+, dubbed “Super Uranyl-binding Protein” (SUP), was described, with potential applications for removing UO22+ in water. Although it discriminated most metal ions present in seawater, the protein showed a surprisingly high affinity for Cu2+ ions. Here, we have investigated Cu2+ binding to SUP using a combination of electron paramagnetic resonance, fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopies. Our results provide evidence for two Cu2+ binding sites on SUP that are distinct from the UO22+ binding site, but one of which interferes with UO22+ binding. They further suggest that in solution the protein's secondary structure changes significantly in response to binding UO22+; in contrast, the crystal structures of the apo- and holo-protein are almost superimposable. These results provide insights for further improving the selectivity of SUP for UO22+, paving the way toward protein-based biomaterials for decontamination and/or recovery of uranium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Hoarau
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Karl J Koebke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Zhan Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - E Neil G Marsh
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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Creff G, Zurita C, Jeanson A, Carle G, Vidaud C, Den Auwer C. What do we know about actinides-proteins interactions? RADIOCHIM ACTA 2019. [DOI: 10.1515/ract-2019-3120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Since the early 40s when the first research related to the development of the atomic bomb began for the Manhattan Project, actinides (An) and their association with the use of nuclear energy for civil applications, such as in the generation of electricity, have been a constant source of interest and fear. In 1962, the first Society of Toxicology (SOT), led by H. Hodge, was established at the University of Rochester (USA). It was commissioned as part of the Manhattan Project to assess the impact of nuclear weapons production on workers’ health. As a result of this initiative, the retention and excretion rates of radioactive heavy metals, their physiological impact in the event of acute exposure and their main biological targets were assessed. In this context, the scientific community began to focus on the role of proteins in the transportation and in vivo accumulation of An. The first studies focused on the identification of these proteins. Thereafter, the continuous development of physico-chemical characterization techniques has made it possible to go further and specify the modes of interaction with proteins from both a thermodynamic and structural point of view, as well as from the point of view of their biological activity. This article reviews the work performed in this area since the Manhattan Project. It is divided into three parts: first, the identification of the most affine proteins; second, the study of the affinity and structure of protein-An complexes; and third, the impact of actinide ligation on protein conformation and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaëlle Creff
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, UMR 7272, Institut de Chimie de Nice , 06108 Nice , France
| | - Cyril Zurita
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, UMR 7272, Institut de Chimie de Nice , 06108 Nice , France
| | - Aurélie Jeanson
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, UMR 7272, Institut de Chimie de Nice , 06108 Nice , France
| | - Georges Carle
- Université Côte d’Azur, CEA, UMR E-4320 TIRO-MATOs , 06100 Nice , France
| | - Claude Vidaud
- CEA DRF, CNRS, UMR 7265, Institut de Biosciences et Biotechnologies d’Aix-Marseille , 13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance , France
| | - Christophe Den Auwer
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, UMR 7272, Institut de Chimie de Nice , 06108 Nice , France
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