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Pereira WS, Kelecom A, Lopes JM, Charles-Pierre M, Campelo ELC, Carmo AS, Filho LGP, Paiva AKS, Silva AX. Application of radiological assessment as water quality criterion for effluent release in a Brazilian uranium mine. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:65379-65391. [PMID: 37084045 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26964-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Uranium mining causes several radiological impacts on the surrounding environment, notably in the water bodies, mainly due to the release of long half-life radionuclides from the 238U and 232Th series. The Ore Treatment Unit, an old uranium mine undergoing decommissioning, has three points of liquid effluent release (#014, #025, and #076). For current study, 78 samples of water were collected at #014, 33 samples at #025, and 63 samples at #076. The radionuclides were analyzed by gross alpha count, gross beta count, and by arsenazo spectrophotometry. Analyses were carried out using the radiological water quality criterion established by World Health Organization and other organizations, together with the Brazilian legislation, to assess if the released effluents may be used unrestrictedly by the individuals of the public. At #014, the mean values of activity concentration (AC), in Bq·L-1, were as follows: Unat = 0.107, 226Ra = 0.035, 210Pb = 0.031, 232Th = 0.007, and 228Ra = 0.049. At #025 the mean values of AC, in Bq·L-1, were as follows: Unat = 0.086, 226Ra = 0.015, 210Pb = 0.028, 232Th = 0.006, and 228Ra = 0.032. Finally, at point #076, the mean AC values, in Bq·L-1, were as follows: Unat = 3.624, 226Ra = 0.074, 210Pb = 0.054, 232Th = 0.013, and 228Ra = 0.069. The current study showed that natural radionuclides were not in secular equilibrium. Despite uranium presented its values outside the limits of guidance levels, it can be state that the unrestricted use of effluents released in the three water bodies is authorized from the radiological point of view. In terms of dose rate, the releases at three points were within the radiological limits of potability. On the other hand, in an additional analysis, #76 presented chemical toxicity above the authorized value, pointing the need of restricted use of water from the point of view of chemical toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wagner S Pereira
- Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil S/A - INB, 27.555-000, Resende, RJ, Brasil.
- Programa de Engenharia Nuclear, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, 21.941-972, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
| | - Alphonse Kelecom
- Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense - UFF, 24.001-970, Niterói, Brasil
| | - José M Lopes
- Departamento de Física da Terra e do Meio Ambiente, Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal da Bahia - UFBA, 40.170-115, Salvador, Brasil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geoquímica (POSPETRO), Universidade Federal da Bahia - UFBA, 40.170-110, Salvador, Brasil
| | - Maxime Charles-Pierre
- Programa de Engenharia Nuclear, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, 21.941-972, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | | | - Alessander S Carmo
- Setor de Criogenia, Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas Físicas - CBPF, 22290-180, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Lucas G Padilha Filho
- Departamento de Radiologia, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, 21941-617, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
- Fundação Técnico Educacional Souza Marques - FTESM, 21310-310, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Alexandre K S Paiva
- Programa de Engenharia Nuclear, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, 21.941-972, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Ademir X Silva
- Programa de Engenharia Nuclear, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, 21.941-972, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
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Tang Z, Dai Z, Gong M, Chen H, Zhou X, Wang Y, Jiang C, Yu W, Li L. Efficient removal of uranium(VI) from aqueous solution by a novel phosphate-modified biochar supporting zero-valent iron composite. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:40478-40489. [PMID: 36609758 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-25124-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Uranium (U) is an important strategic resource as well as a heavy metal element with both chemical and radiotoxicity. At present, the rapid and efficient removal of uranium from wastewater remains a huge challenge for environmental protection and ecological security. In this paper, phosphate-modified biochar supporting nano zero-valent iron (PBC/nZVI) was triumphantly prepared and fully characterized. The introduction of polyphosphate can greatly increase the specific surface area of biochar pores, and then the zero-valent iron can be evenly distributed on the surface of material, thus leading to excellent removal performance of the PBC/nZVI for U(VI). The theoretical maximum U(VI) removal capacity of PBC/nZVI was up to 967.53 mg/g at pH 5. The results of adsorption kinetics, isotherm, and thermodynamics showed that the adsorption of uranium by PBC/nZVI was a monolayer physical adsorption and endothermic reaction. And the PBC/nZVI has favorable selectivity toward uranium against the interference of coexisting metal ions. Further mechanism studies show that the excellent uranium removal performance of PBC/nZVI is mainly attributed to the synergistic effect of physical adsorption and chemical reduction. This work proves that the PBC/nZVI has a wide application prospect in the field of uranium wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwei Tang
- College of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Hengyang Key Laboratory for Comprehensive Prevention and Control of Uranium Contamination and its Health Hazards, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Typical Environment Pollution and Health Hazard, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongran Dai
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Green Development Technology for Extremely Low Grade Uranium Resources, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Mi Gong
- College of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Hengyang Key Laboratory for Comprehensive Prevention and Control of Uranium Contamination and its Health Hazards, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Typical Environment Pollution and Health Hazard, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Chen
- College of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Hengyang Key Laboratory for Comprehensive Prevention and Control of Uranium Contamination and its Health Hazards, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Typical Environment Pollution and Health Hazard, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiayu Zhou
- College of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Hengyang Key Laboratory for Comprehensive Prevention and Control of Uranium Contamination and its Health Hazards, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Typical Environment Pollution and Health Hazard, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yating Wang
- College of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Hengyang Key Laboratory for Comprehensive Prevention and Control of Uranium Contamination and its Health Hazards, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Typical Environment Pollution and Health Hazard, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Cong Jiang
- College of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Hengyang Key Laboratory for Comprehensive Prevention and Control of Uranium Contamination and its Health Hazards, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Typical Environment Pollution and Health Hazard, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanying Yu
- College of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Hengyang Key Laboratory for Comprehensive Prevention and Control of Uranium Contamination and its Health Hazards, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Typical Environment Pollution and Health Hazard, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Le Li
- College of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
- Hengyang Key Laboratory for Comprehensive Prevention and Control of Uranium Contamination and its Health Hazards, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Typical Environment Pollution and Health Hazard, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Green Development Technology for Extremely Low Grade Uranium Resources, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
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Gao J, Wang J, Chen J, Liao S, Cao M, Ma F, Xue Y, Yan Y. Valence regulation investigation of key factors on the electrochemical immobilization uranyl from wastewater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 836:155609. [PMID: 35504391 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical techniques are considered promising applications to immobilize uranium in alkaline wastewater in order to prevent its migration into groundwater and soil. In this work, the results of electrochemical and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) demonstrate a successful immobilization of uranyl in the carbonate system by U(VI)-U(V), U(V)-U(IV) reduction, and U(V) disproportionation reactions. The results indicated that the electrochemical fixation rate in alkaline system could reach more than 99%. The valence state of uranium is the key factor affecting its migration in the working system. Where, the analysis of the immobilized samples by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that pHs, current density, and the presence of foreign cations significantly affect the valence state of uranium in the immobilized samples. Under same conditions, the reduction reactions of U(VI)-U(V) and U(V)-U(IV) occurred easily. Where, at pH higher than 3.4 or the current density in the range of 0.5-20 mA/cm2, high content of U(V) and U(IV) in the immobilized products was obtained. Other conditions favored the occurrence of the electrolytic water reaction, and the immobilized samples were dominated by U(VI). It was found that the temperature showed the greatest effect on the electrochemical immobilization rate. Where, the electrochemical immobilization rate increased by about 1.8 times when the ambient temperature increased from 293.15 to 328.15 K. This study provides a new idea for the immobilization of uranium in alkaline wastewater and demonstrates the feasibility of electrochemical immobilization of uranium in alkaline systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhang Gao
- Fundamental Science on Nuclear Safety and Simulation Technology Laboratory, College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, P. R. China
| | - Jiadong Wang
- Fundamental Science on Nuclear Safety and Simulation Technology Laboratory, College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, P. R. China
| | - Jiaqi Chen
- Fundamental Science on Nuclear Safety and Simulation Technology Laboratory, College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, P. R. China
| | - Shitao Liao
- Fundamental Science on Nuclear Safety and Simulation Technology Laboratory, College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, P. R. China
| | - Meng Cao
- Fundamental Science on Nuclear Safety and Simulation Technology Laboratory, College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, P. R. China
| | - Fuqiu Ma
- Fundamental Science on Nuclear Safety and Simulation Technology Laboratory, College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, P. R. China; Yantai Research Institute, Harbin Engineering University, Yantai 264006, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Yun Xue
- Fundamental Science on Nuclear Safety and Simulation Technology Laboratory, College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, P. R. China; Yantai Research Institute, Harbin Engineering University, Yantai 264006, Shandong, P. R. China.
| | - Yongde Yan
- Fundamental Science on Nuclear Safety and Simulation Technology Laboratory, College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, P. R. China; Yantai Research Institute, Harbin Engineering University, Yantai 264006, Shandong, P. R. China.
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