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Zhang H, Li B, Liu X, Qian T, Zhao D, Wang J, Zhang L, Wang T. Pyrite-stimulated bio-reductive immobilization of perrhenate: Insights from integrated biotic and abiotic perspectives. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 262:122089. [PMID: 39018586 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Microbes possessing electron transfer capabilities hold great promise for remediating subsurface contaminated by redox-active radionuclides such as technetium-99 (99TcO4-) through bio-transformation of soluble contaminants into their sparingly soluble forms. However, the practical application of this concept has been impeded due to the low electron transfer efficiency and long-term product stability under various biogeochemical conditions. Herein, we proposed and tested a pyrite-stimulated bio-immobilization strategy for immobilizing ReO4- (a nonradioactive analogue of 99TcO4-) using sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), with a focus on pure-cultured Desulfovibrio vulgaris. Pyrite acted as an effective stimulant for the bio-transformation of ReO4-, boosting the removal rate of ReO4- (50 mg/L) in a solution from 2.8 % (without pyrite) to 100 %. Moreover, the immobilized products showed almost no signs of remobilization during 168 days of monitoring. Dual lines of evidence were presented to elucidate the underlying mechanisms for the pyrite-enhanced bio-activity. Transcriptomic analysis revealed a global upregulation of genes associated with electron conductive cytochromes c network, extracellular tryptophan, and intracellular electron transfer units, leading to enhanced ReO4- bio-reduction. Spectroscopic analysis confirmed the long-term stability of the bio-immobilized products, wherein ReO4- is reduced to stable Re(IV) oxides and Re(IV) sulfides. This work provides a novel green strategy for remediation of radionuclides- or heavy metals-contaminated sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoqing Zhang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecological Security in Fenhe River Basin, Shanxi Engineering Research Center of Low Carbon Remediation for Water and Soil Pollution in Yellow River Basin, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Bo Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecological Security in Fenhe River Basin, Shanxi Engineering Research Center of Low Carbon Remediation for Water and Soil Pollution in Yellow River Basin, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Xiaona Liu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecological Security in Fenhe River Basin, Shanxi Engineering Research Center of Low Carbon Remediation for Water and Soil Pollution in Yellow River Basin, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Tianwei Qian
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecological Security in Fenhe River Basin, Shanxi Engineering Research Center of Low Carbon Remediation for Water and Soil Pollution in Yellow River Basin, Taiyuan 030024, China.
| | - Dongye Zhao
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, United States.
| | - Jianhui Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecological Security in Fenhe River Basin, Shanxi Engineering Research Center of Low Carbon Remediation for Water and Soil Pollution in Yellow River Basin, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecological Security in Fenhe River Basin, Shanxi Engineering Research Center of Low Carbon Remediation for Water and Soil Pollution in Yellow River Basin, Taiyuan 030024, China; Shanxi Low-Carbon Environmental Protection Industry Group Co. Ltd. Taiyuan 030032, China
| | - Ting Wang
- School of Environment and Resources, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
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2
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Williamson AJ, Binet M, Sergeant C. Radionuclide biogeochemistry: from bioremediation toward the treatment of aqueous radioactive effluents. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2024; 44:698-716. [PMID: 37258417 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2023.2194505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Civilian and military nuclear programs of several nations over more than 70 years have led to significant quantities of heterogenous solid, organic, and aqueous radioactive wastes bearing actinides, fission products, and activation products. While many physicochemical treatments have been developed to remediate, decontaminate and reduce waste volumes, they can involve high costs (energy input, expensive sorbants, ion exchange resins, chemical reducing/precipitation agents) or can lead to further secondary waste forms. Microorganisms can directly influence radionuclide solubility, via sorption, accumulation, precipitation, redox, and volatilization pathways, thus offering a more sustainable approach to remediation or effluent treatments. Much work to date has focused on fundamentals or laboratory-scale remediation trials, but there is a paucity of information toward field-scale bioremediation and, to a lesser extent, toward biological liquid effluent treatments. From the few biostimulation studies that have been conducted at legacy weapon production/test sites and uranium mining and milling sites, some marked success via bioreduction and biomineralisation has been observed. However, rebounding of radionuclide mobility from (a)biotic scale-up factors are often encountered. Radionuclide, heavy metal, co-contaminant, and/or matrix effects provide more challenging conditions than traditional industrial wastewater systems, thus innovative solutions via indirect interactions with stable element biogeochemical cycles, natural or engineered cultures or communities of metal and irradiation tolerant strains and reactor design inspirations from existing metal wastewater technologies, are required. This review encompasses the current state of the art in radionuclide biogeochemistry fundamentals and bioremediation and establishes links toward transitioning these concepts toward future radioactive effluent treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marie Binet
- EDF R&D, LNHE (Laboratoire National d'Hydraulique et Environnement), Chatou, France
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3
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Chen Z, Zhang P, Brown KG, van der Sloot HA, Meeussen JCL, Garrabrants AC, Delapp RC, Um W, Kosson DS. Evaluating the impact of drying on leaching from a solidified/stabilized waste using a monolithic diffusion model. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 165:27-39. [PMID: 37080015 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The release rates of constituents of potential concern from solidified/stabilized cementitious waste forms are potentially impacted by drying, which, however, is not well understood. This study aimed to identify the impacts of drying on subsequent leaching from Cast Stone as an example of a solidified cementitious waste form. The release fluxes of constituents from monoliths after aging under 100, 68, 40, and 15 % relative humidity for 16, 32, and 48 weeks, respectively, were derived from mass transfer tank leaching tests following EPA Method 1315. A monolithic diffusion model was calibrated based on the leaching test results to simulate the leaching of major and redox-sensitive constituents from monoliths after drying. The reduction in physical retention of constituents (tortuosity-factor) in the unsaturated zone was identified as the primary impact from drying on subsequent leaching. Fluxes of both major (i.e., OH-, Na, K, Ca, Si, and Al) and redox-sensitive constituents (i.e., Tc, Cr, Fe, and S) from monoliths during leaching were well described by the model. The drying-induced reduction of tortuosity-factor and concomitant changes in porewater pH and redox conditions can significantly change the subsequent release fluxes of pH- and redox- sensitive constituents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiliang Chen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, United States
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, United States; Shanghai Shaanxi Coal Hi-tech Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201613, China
| | - Kevin G Brown
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, United States
| | - Hans A van der Sloot
- Hans van der Sloot Consultancy, Glenn Millerhof 29, 1628 TS Hoorn, the Netherlands
| | | | - Andrew C Garrabrants
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, United States
| | - Rossane C Delapp
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, United States
| | - Wooyong Um
- Pacific Northwest National Lab., Richland, WA, United States; Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Korea
| | - David S Kosson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, United States.
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4
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Stagg O, Morris K, Townsend LT, Kvashnina KO, Baker ML, Dempsey RL, Abrahamsen-Mills L, Shaw S. Sulfidation and Reoxidation of U(VI)-Incorporated Goethite: Implications for U Retention during Sub-Surface Redox Cycling. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:17643-17652. [PMID: 36449568 PMCID: PMC9775214 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Over 60 years of nuclear activity have resulted in a global legacy of contaminated land and radioactive waste. Uranium (U) is a significant component of this legacy and is present in radioactive wastes and at many contaminated sites. U-incorporated iron (oxyhydr)oxides may provide a long-term barrier to U migration in the environment. However, reductive dissolution of iron (oxyhydr)oxides can occur on reaction with aqueous sulfide (sulfidation), a common environmental species, due to the microbial reduction of sulfate. In this work, U(VI)-goethite was initially reacted with aqueous sulfide, followed by a reoxidation reaction, to further understand the long-term fate of U species under fluctuating environmental conditions. Over the first day of sulfidation, a transient release of aqueous U was observed, likely due to intermediate uranyl(VI)-persulfide species. Despite this, overall U was retained in the solid phase, with the formation of nanocrystalline U(IV)O2 in the sulfidized system along with a persistent U(V) component. On reoxidation, U was associated with an iron (oxyhydr)oxide phase either as an adsorbed uranyl (approximately 65%) or an incorporated U (35%) species. These findings support the overarching concept of iron (oxyhydr)oxides acting as a barrier to U migration in the environment, even under fluctuating redox conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olwen Stagg
- Research
Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular
Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, U.K.
| | - Katherine Morris
- Research
Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular
Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, U.K.
| | - Luke Thomas Townsend
- Research
Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular
Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, U.K.
| | - Kristina O. Kvashnina
- The
Rossendorf Beamline at ESRF—The European Synchrotron, CS40220, Grenoble Cedex 938043France
- Institute
of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden
Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden01314, Germany
| | - Michael L. Baker
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, U.K.
- The
University of Manchester at Harwell, The University of Manchester, Diamond Light Source, Harwell Campus, DidcotOX11 0DE, U.K.
| | - Ryan L. Dempsey
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, U.K.
| | | | - Samuel Shaw
- Research
Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular
Environmental Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, ManchesterM13 9PL, U.K.
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5
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Ho MS, Vettese GF, Morris K, Lloyd JR, Boothman C, Bower WR, Shaw S, Law GTW. Retention of immobile Se(0) in flow-through aquifer column systems during bioreduction and oxic-remobilization. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 834:155332. [PMID: 35460788 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Selenium (Se) is a toxic contaminant with multiple anthropogenic sources, including 79Se from nuclear fission. Se mobility in the geosphere is generally governed by its oxidation state, therefore understanding Se speciation under variable redox conditions is important for the safe management of Se contaminated sites. Here, we investigate Se behavior in sediment groundwater column systems. Experiments were conducted with environmentally relevant Se concentrations, using a range of groundwater compositions, and the impact of electron-donor (i.e., biostimulation) and groundwater sulfate addition was examined over a period of 170 days. X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy and standard geochemical techniques were used to track changes in sediment associated Se concentration and speciation. Electron-donor amended systems with and without added sulfate retained up to 90% of added Se(VI)(aq), with sediment associated Se speciation dominated by trigonal Se(0) and possibly trace Se(-II); no Se colloid formation was observed. The remobilization potential of the sediment associated Se species was then tested in reoxidation and seawater intrusion perturbation experiments. In all treatments, sediment associated Se (i.e., trigonal Se(0)) was largely resistant to remobilization over the timescale of the experiments (170 days). However, in the perturbation experiments, less Se was remobilized from sulfidic sediments, suggesting that previous sulfate-reducing conditions may buffer Se against remobilization and migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mallory S Ho
- Radiochemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Gianni F Vettese
- Radiochemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Katherine Morris
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Christopher Boothman
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - William R Bower
- Radiochemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Samuel Shaw
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Gareth T W Law
- Radiochemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, 00014, Finland.
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6
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Rodríguez DM, Mayordomo N, Parra-Puerto A, Schild D, Brendler V, Stumpf T, Müller K. Exploring the Reduction Mechanism of 99Tc(VII) in NaClO 4: A Spectro-Electrochemical Approach. Inorg Chem 2022; 61:10159-10166. [PMID: 35748436 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c01278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Technetium (Tc) is an environmentally relevant radioactive contaminant whose migration is limited when Tc(VII) is reduced to Tc(IV). However, its reaction mechanisms are not well understood yet. We have combined electrochemistry, spectroscopy, and microscopy (cyclic voltammetry, rotating disk electrode, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman and scanning electron microscopy) to study Tc(VII) reduction in non-complexing media: 0.5 mM KTcO4 in 2 M NaClO4 in the pH from 2.0 to 10.0. At pH 2.0, Tc(VII) first gains 2.3 ± 0.3 electrons, following Tc(V) rapidly receives 1.3 ± 0.3 electrons yielding Tc(IV). At pH 4.0-10.0, Tc(IV) is directly obtained by transfer of 3.2 ± 0.3 electrons. The reduction of Tc(VII) produced always a black solid identified as Tc(IV) by Raman and XPS. Our results narrow a significant gap in the fundamental knowledge of Tc aqueous chemistry and are important to understand Tc speciation. They provide basic steps on the way from non-complexing to complex media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana M Rodríguez
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e.V., Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Natalia Mayordomo
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e.V., Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Dieter Schild
- Institute for Nuclear Waste Disposal, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Vinzenz Brendler
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e.V., Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Thorsten Stumpf
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e.V., Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Katharina Müller
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e.V., Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
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7
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Williamson AJ, Lloyd JR, Boothman C, Law GTW, Shaw S, Small JS, Vettese GF, Williams HA, Morris K. Biogeochemical Cycling of 99Tc in Alkaline Sediments. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:15862-15872. [PMID: 34825817 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c04416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
99Tc will be present in significant quantities in radioactive wastes including intermediate-level waste (ILW). The internationally favored concept for disposing of higher activity radioactive wastes including ILW is via deep geological disposal in an underground engineered facility located ∼200-1000 m deep. Typically, in the deep geological disposal environment, the subsurface will be saturated, cement will be used extensively as an engineering material, and iron will be ubiquitous. This means that understanding Tc biogeochemistry in high pH, cementitious environments is important to underpin safety case development. Here, alkaline sediment microcosms (pH 10) were incubated under anoxic conditions under "no added Fe(III)" and "with added Fe(III)" conditions (added as ferrihydrite) at three Tc concentrations (10-11, 10-6, and 10-4 mol L-1). In the 10-6 mol L-1 Tc experiments with no added Fe(III), ∼35% Tc(VII) removal occurred during bioreduction. Solvent extraction of the residual solution phase indicated that ∼75% of Tc was present as Tc(IV), potentially as colloids. In both biologically active and sterile control experiments with added Fe(III), Fe(II) formed during bioreduction and >90% Tc was removed from the solution, most likely due to abiotic reduction mediated by Fe(II). X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) showed that in bioreduced sediments, Tc was present as hydrous TcO2-like phases, with some evidence for an Fe association. When reduced sediments with added Fe(III) were air oxidized, there was a significant loss of Fe(II) over 1 month (∼50%), yet this was coupled to only modest Tc remobilization (∼25%). Here, XAS analysis suggested that with air oxidation, partial incorporation of Tc(IV) into newly forming Fe oxyhydr(oxide) minerals may be occurring. These data suggest that in Fe-rich, alkaline environments, biologically mediated processes may limit Tc mobility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Williamson
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
- CENBG-Équipe Radioactivité et Environnement, UMR 5797, CNRS-IN2P3/Université de Bordeaux, 19 chemin du Solarium, CS 10120, 33175 Gradignan, France
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Christopher Boothman
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Gareth T W Law
- Radiochemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry, The University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Samuel Shaw
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Joe S Small
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
- National Nuclear Laboratory, Risley, Warrington, Cheshire WA3 6AE, U.K
| | - Gianni F Vettese
- Radiochemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry, The University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00014, Finland
| | - Heather A Williams
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, U.K
| | - Katherine Morris
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Science, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
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8
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Chen Z, Zhang P, Brown KG, Branch JL, van der Sloot HA, Meeussen JCL, Delapp RC, Um W, Kosson DS. Development of a Geochemical Speciation Model for Use in Evaluating Leaching from a Cementitious Radioactive Waste Form. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:8642-8653. [PMID: 34132538 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c06227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cast Stone has been developed to immobilize a fraction of radioactive waste at the Hanford Site; however, constituents of potential concern (COPCs) can be released when in contact with water during disposal. Herein, a representative mineral and parameter set for geochemical speciation modeling was developed for Cast Stone aged in inert and oxic environments, to simulate leaching concentrations of major and trace constituents. The geochemical speciation model was verified using a monolithic diffusion model in conjunction with independent monolithic diffusion test results. Eskolaite (Cr2O3) was confirmed as the dominant mineral retaining Cr in Cast Stone doped with 0.1 or 0.2 wt % Cr. The immobilization of Tc as a primary COPC in Cast Stone was evaluated, and the redox states of porewater within monolithic Cast Stone indicated by Cr are insufficient for the reduction of Tc. However, redox states provided by blast furnace slag (BFS) within the interior of Cast Stone are capable of reducing Tc for immobilization, with the immobilization reaction rate postulated to be controlled by the diffusive migration of soluble Tc in porewater to the surface of reducing BFS particles. Aging in oxic conditions increased the flux of Cr and Tc from monolithic Cast Stone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiliang Chen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37215, United States
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37215, United States
| | - Kevin G Brown
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37215, United States
| | - Janelle L Branch
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37215, United States
| | - Hans A van der Sloot
- Hans van der Sloot Consultancy, Glenn Millerhof 29, 1628 TS Hoorn, The Netherlands
| | | | - Rossane C Delapp
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37215, United States
| | - Wooyong Um
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, United States
- Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Korea
| | - David S Kosson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37215, United States
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9
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Ren C, Yang P, Gao J, Huo X, Min X, Bi EY, Liu Y, Wang Y, Zhu M, Liu J. Catalytic Reduction of Aqueous Chlorate With MoOx Immobilized on Pd/C. ACS Catal 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.0c02242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Changxu Ren
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Peng Yang
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071, United States
| | - Jinyu Gao
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Xiangchen Huo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Xiaopeng Min
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201, United States
| | - Eric Y. Bi
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
- Martin Luther King High School, Riverside, California 92508, United States
| | - Yiming Liu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Yin Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201, United States
| | - Mengqiang Zhu
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071, United States
| | - Jinyong Liu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
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10
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Bower WR, Morris K, Livens FR, Mosselmans JFW, Fallon CM, Fuller AJ, Natrajan L, Boothman C, Lloyd JR, Utsunomiya S, Grolimund D, Ferreira Sanchez D, Jilbert T, Parker J, Neill TS, Law GTW. Metaschoepite Dissolution in Sediment Column Systems-Implications for Uranium Speciation and Transport. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:9915-9925. [PMID: 31317743 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b02292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Metaschoepite is commonly found in U-contaminated environments and metaschoepite-bearing wastes may be managed via shallow or deep disposal. Understanding metaschoepite dissolution and tracking the fate of any liberated U is thus important. Here, discrete horizons of metaschoepite (UO3·nH2O) particles were emplaced in flowing sediment/groundwater columns representative of the UK Sellafield Ltd. site. The column systems either remained oxic or became anoxic due to electron donor additions, and the columns were sacrificed after 6- and 12-months for analysis. Solution chemistry, extractions, and bulk and micro/nano-focus X-ray spectroscopies were used to track changes in U distribution and behavior. In the oxic columns, U migration was extensive, with UO22+ identified in effluents after 6-months of reaction using fluorescence spectroscopy. Unusually, in the electron-donor amended columns, during microbially mediated sulfate reduction, significant amounts of UO2-like colloids (>60% of the added U) were found in the effluents using TEM. XAS analysis of the U remaining associated with the reduced sediments confirmed the presence of trace U(VI), noncrystalline U(IV), and biogenic UO2, with UO2 becoming more dominant with time. This study highlights the potential for U(IV) colloid production from U(VI) solids under reducing conditions and the complexity of U biogeochemistry in dynamic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- William R Bower
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
- Radiochemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry , The University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland , 00014
| | - Katherine Morris
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
| | - Francis R Livens
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
| | | | - Connaugh M Fallon
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
- Radiochemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry , The University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland , 00014
| | - Adam J Fuller
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
| | - Louise Natrajan
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
| | - Christopher Boothman
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
| | - Satoshi Utsunomiya
- Kyushu University , Department of Chemistry , 744 Motooka , Nishi-ku , Fukuoka Japan , 819-0395
| | - Daniel Grolimund
- Swiss Light Source , Paul Scherrer Institute , Villigen , Switzerland , 5232
| | | | - Tom Jilbert
- Ecosystems and Environmental Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences , The University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland , 00014
| | - Julia Parker
- Diamond Light Source , Harwell Science and Innovation Campus , Didcot , U.K. , OX11 0DE
| | - Thomas S Neill
- Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
| | - Gareth T W Law
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, School of Chemistry , The University of Manchester , Manchester , U.K. , M13 9PL
- Radiochemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry , The University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland , 00014
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11
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Wang L, Song H, Yuan L, Li Z, Zhang P, Gibson JK, Zheng L, Wang H, Chai Z, Shi W. Effective Removal of Anionic Re(VII) by Surface-Modified Ti 2CT x MXene Nanocomposites: Implications for Tc(VII) Sequestration. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:3739-3747. [PMID: 30843686 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b07083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Environmental contamination by 99Tc(VII) from radioactive wastewater streams is of particular concern due to the long half-life of 99Tc and high mobility of pertechnetate. Herein, we report a novel MXene-polyelectrolyte nanocomposite with three-dimensional networks for enhanced removal of perrhenate, which is pertechnetate simulant. The introduction of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) regulates the surface charge and improves the stability of Ti2CT x nanosheet, resulting in Re(VII) removal capacity of up to 363 mg g-1, and fast sorption kinetics. The Ti2CT x/PDDA nanocomposite furthermore exhibits good selectivity for ReO4- when competing anions (such as Cl- and SO42-) coexist at a concentration of 1800 times. The immobilization mechanism was confirmed as a sorption-reduction process by batch sorption experiments and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The pH-dependent reducing activity of Ti2CT x/PDDA nanocomposite toward Re(VII) was clarified by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. As the pH increases, the local environment gradually changes from octahedral-coordinated Re(IV) to tetrahedral-coordinated Re(VII). The overall results suggest that Ti2CT x/PDDA nanocomposite may be a promising candidate for efficient elimination of Tc contamination. The reported surface modification strategy might result in applications of MXene-based materials in environmental remediation of other oxidized anion pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Wang
- Laboratory of Nuclear Energy Chemistry and Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Huan Song
- Laboratory of Nuclear Energy Chemistry and Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Hunan Key Laboratory for the Design and Application of Actinide Complexes , University of South China , Hengyang 421001 , China
| | - Liyong Yuan
- Laboratory of Nuclear Energy Chemistry and Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Zijie Li
- Laboratory of Nuclear Energy Chemistry and Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Laboratory of Nuclear Energy Chemistry and Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - John K Gibson
- Chemical Sciences Division , Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) , Berkeley , California 94720 , United States
| | - Lirong Zheng
- Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Institute of High Energy Physics , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Hongqing Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Hunan Key Laboratory for the Design and Application of Actinide Complexes , University of South China , Hengyang 421001 , China
| | - Zhifang Chai
- Laboratory of Nuclear Energy Chemistry and Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
- Engineering Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials , Ningbo Institute of Industrial Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Ningbo , Zhejiang 315201 , China
| | - Weiqun Shi
- Laboratory of Nuclear Energy Chemistry and Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
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12
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Newsome L, Morris K, Cleary A, Masters-Waage NK, Boothman C, Joshi N, Atherton N, Lloyd JR. The impact of iron nanoparticles on technetium-contaminated groundwater and sediment microbial communities. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2019; 364:134-142. [PMID: 30343175 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Iron nanoparticles are a promising new technology to treat contaminated groundwater, particularly as they can be engineered to optimise their transport properties. Technetium is a common contaminant at nuclear sites and can be reductively scavenged from groundwater by iron(II). Here we investigated the potential for a range of optimised iron nanoparticles to remove technetium from contaminated groundwater, and groundwater/sediment systems. Nano zero-valent iron and Carbo-iron stimulated the development of anoxic conditions while generating Fe(II) which reduced soluble Tc(VII) to sparingly soluble Tc(IV). Similar results were observed for Fe(II)-bearing biomagnetite, albeit at a slower rate. Tc(VII) remained in solution in the presence of the Fe(III) mineral nano-goethite, until acetate was added to stimulate microbial Fe(III)-reduction after which Tc(VII) concentrations decreased concomitant with Fe(II) ingrowth. The addition of iron nanoparticles to sediment microcosms caused an increase in the relative abundance of Firmicutes, consistent with fermentative/anoxic metabolisms. Residual bacteria from the synthesis of the biomagnetite nanoparticles were out-competed by the sediment microbial community. Overall the results showed that iron nanoparticles were highly effective in removing Tc(VII) from groundwater in sediment systems, and generated sustained anoxic conditions via the stimulation of beneficial microbial processes including Fe(III)-reduction and sulfate reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Newsome
- Williamson Research Centre and Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Katherine Morris
- Williamson Research Centre and Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Adrian Cleary
- Williamson Research Centre and Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Nicholas Karl Masters-Waage
- Williamson Research Centre and Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Christopher Boothman
- Williamson Research Centre and Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Nimisha Joshi
- Williamson Research Centre and Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Nick Atherton
- Sellafield Ltd. Land Quality, Sellafield, Seascale, Cumbria, CA20 1PG, UK
| | - Jonathan R Lloyd
- Williamson Research Centre and Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
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13
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Saslow SA, Um W, Pearce CI, Bowden ME, Engelhard MH, Lukens WL, Kim DS, Schweiger MJ, Kruger AA. Cr(VI) Effect on Tc-99 Removal from Hanford Low-Activity Waste Simulant by Ferrous Hydroxide. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:11752-11759. [PMID: 30221934 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b03314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Here, Cr(VI) effects on Tc-immobilization by Fe(OH)2(s) are investigated while assessing Fe(OH)2(s) as a potential treatment method for Hanford low-activity waste destined for vitrification. Batch studies using simulated low-activity waste indicate that Tc(VII) and Cr(VI) removal is contingent on reduction to Tc(IV) and Cr(III). Furthermore, complete removal of both Cr and Tc depends on the amount of Fe(OH)2(s) present, where complete Cr and Tc removal requires more Fe(OH)2(s) (∼200 g/L of simulant), than removing Cr alone (∼50 g/L of simulant). XRD analysis suggests that Fe(OH)2(s) reaction and transformation in the simulant produces mostly goethite (α-FeOOH), where Fe(OH)2(s) transformation to goethite rather than magnetite is likely due to the simulant chemistry, which includes high levels of nitrite and other constituents. Once reduced, a fraction of Cr(III) and Tc(IV) substitute for octahedral Fe(III) within the goethite crystal lattice as supported by XPS, XANES, and/or EXAFS results. The remaining Cr(III) forms oxide and/or hydroxide phases, whereas Tc(IV) not fully incorporated into goethite persists as either adsorbed or partially incorporated Tc(IV)-oxide species. As such, to fully incorporate Tc(IV) into the goethite crystal structure, additional Fe(OH)2(s) (>200 g/L of simulant) may be required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Saslow
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory , 902 Battelle Blvd , Richland , Washington , 99352 , United States
| | - Wooyong Um
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory , 902 Battelle Blvd , Richland , Washington , 99352 , United States
| | - Carolyn I Pearce
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory , 902 Battelle Blvd , Richland , Washington , 99352 , United States
| | - Mark E Bowden
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory , Richland , Washington , 99354 , United States
| | - Mark H Engelhard
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory , Richland , Washington , 99354 , United States
| | - Wayne L Lukens
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , 1 Cyclotron Rd , Berkeley , California , 94720 United States
| | - Dong-Sang Kim
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory , 902 Battelle Blvd , Richland , Washington , 99352 , United States
| | - Michael J Schweiger
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory , 902 Battelle Blvd , Richland , Washington , 99352 , United States
| | - Albert A Kruger
- United States Department of Energy, Office of River Protection , P.O. Box 450, Richland , Washington 99352 , United States
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14
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Chatterjee S, Hall GB, Johnson IE, Du Y, Walter ED, Washton NM, Levitskaia TG. Surprising formation of quasi-stable Tc(vi) in high ionic strength alkaline media. Inorg Chem Front 2018. [DOI: 10.1039/c8qi00219c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This work demonstrates an aqueous Tc(vi) lifetime 6 orders of magnitude greater than previously suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayandev Chatterjee
- Energy and Environment Directorate
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
- Richland
- USA
| | - Gabriel B. Hall
- Energy and Environment Directorate
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
- Richland
- USA
| | - Isaac E. Johnson
- Energy and Environment Directorate
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
- Richland
- USA
| | - Yingge Du
- Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
- Richland
- USA
| | - Eric D. Walter
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
- Richland
- USA
| | - Nancy M. Washton
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
- Richland
- USA
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