Kinetic desorption and sorption of U(VI) during reactive transport in a contaminated Hanford sediment

Intraparticle sorption and desorption of antibiotics

Intraparticle domains are the critical locations for storing contaminants and retarding contaminant transport in subsurface environments. While the kinetics and extent of antibiotics sorption and desorption in subsurface materials have been extensively studied, their behaviors in intraparticle domains have not been well understood. This study investigated the sorption and desorption of antibiotics (ATs) in the intraparticle domains using quartz grains and clay, and antibiotic tetracycline (TC) and levofloxacin (LEV) as examples that are commonly present in groundwater systems. Batch experiments coupled with the analyses using various microscopic and spectroscopic techniques were performed to investigate the sorption and desorption kinetics, and to provide insights into the intraparticle sorption and desorption of TC and LEV. Results indicated that both TC and LEV with different physiochemical properties can migrate into intraparticle domains that were consistent with sorptive diffusion. The rate and extent of the sorption are a function of intraparticle surface area and properties, pore volume and connectivity, and ionic properties of the ATs. The sorptive diffusion led to the slow desorption of both TC and LEV after their sorption, apparently showing an irreversible desorption behavior (with desorption percentage about 1.86-20.51%). These results implied that intraparticle domains can be important locations for storing ATs, retarding ATs transport, and may serve as a long-term secondary source for groundwater contamination.

Experimental and Numerical Study of Radioiodine Sorption and Transport in Hanford Sediments

Radioiodine (129I) poses a potential risk to human health and the environment at several U.S. Department of Energy sites, including the Hanford Site, located in southeastern Washington State. Experimental studies and numerical modeling were performed to provide a technical basis for field-scale modeling of iodine sorption and transport behavior. The experiments were carried out using six columns of repacked contaminated sediments from the Hanford Site. Although iodate has been determined to be the dominant iodine species at the Hanford Site, the sorption and transport behaviors of different iodine species were investigated in a series of column experiments by first leaching sediments with artificial groundwater (AGW) followed by AGW containing iodate (IO3-), iodide (I-), or organo-iodine (2-iodo-5-methoxyphenol, C7H7IO2). Ferrihydrite amendments were added to the sediments for three of the columns to evaluate the impact of ferrihydrite on 129I attenuation. The results showed that ferrihydrite enhanced the iodate sorption capacity of the sediment and retarded the transport but had little effect on iodide or organo-I, providing a technical basis for developing a ferrihydrite-based remedial strategy for iodate under oxidizing conditions. Data from the column transport experiments were modeled using the linear equilibrium Freundlich isotherm model, the kinetic Langmuir adsorption model, and a distributed rate model. Comparisons of the experimental data and modeling results indicated that sorption was best represented with the distributed rate model with rates and maximum sorption extents varying by iodine species and ferrihydrite treatment. However, the linear Freundlich isotherm (Kd) model was also found to fit the laboratory experimental data relatively well, suggesting that the Kd model could also be used to represent iodine transport at the field scale.

Surface complexation reactions in sandy porous media: Effects of incomplete mixing and mass-transfer limitations in flow-through systems

Although mixing and surface complexation reactions are key processes for solute transport in porous media, their coupling has not been extensively investigated. In this work, we study the impact of mass-transfer limitations on heterogeneous reactions taking place at the solid-solution interface of a natural sandy porous medium under advection-dominated flow-through conditions. A comprehensive set of 36 column experiments with different grain sizes (0.64, 1.3 and 2.3 mm), seepage velocities (1, 30 and 90 m/day), and hydrochemical conditions were performed. The injection of NaBr solutions of different concentrations (1-100 mM) led to the release of protons via deprotonation reactions of the quartz surface. pH and solute concentration breakthrough curves were measured at the outlet of the columns and the propagation of pH fronts in the column setups was tracked inside the porous medium with non-invasive optode sensors. The experimental results show that the deprotonation of the reactive surfaces, resulting from their interactions with the injected ionic species, strongly depends on the hydrodynamic conditions and differs among the tested porous media despite their apparent similar surface properties. Reactive transport modeling was used to quantitatively interpret the experimental results and to analyze the effects of mass-transfer limited physical processes on surface complexation reactions, propagation of pH fronts, transport of major ions and spatio-temporal evolution of surface composition. A dual domain mass transfer formulation (DDMT) combined with a surface complexation model (SCM) allowed capturing the effects of incomplete mixing on the surface reactions and to reproduce the experimental observations collected in the experiments with high flow velocities. The SCM was parameterized with a single set of surface complexation parameters, accounting for the similar surface properties of the porous media, and was capable of describing the surface complexation mechanisms and their impact on the hydrochemistry over the large range of tested ionic strengths.

Competitive kinetics of Ni(II)/Co(II) and Cr(VI)/P(V) adsorption and desorption on goethite: A unified thermodynamically based model

Predicting the dynamic behavior of coexisting ions on mineral interface is essential to understanding their lability in soil matrix, but a mechanical kinetic model for predicting competitive adsorption is lacking. In this study, the thermodynamic and kinetic adsorption behaviors of Ni(II), Co(II), Cr(VI), and P(V) on goethite under various condition were investigated by batch and stirred-flow experiments, respectively. The equilibrium model CD-MUSIC was developed to describe their equilibrium behavior, followed by the development of a multi-rate kinetic model constrained by the equilibrium model to describe their kinetic behavior. Ni(II) and Co(II) exhibit similar adsorption affinities, while the adsorption of P(V) was stronger and faster than that of Cr(VI). The two surface species of Cr(VI) and P(V) differed in dynamic features, a finding confirmed by in-situ ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. The kinetic model was successfully used to predict the binary competitive adsorption of Ni(II)-Co(II) and Cr(VI)-P(V), and especially the overshooting of Cr(VI) induced by P(V). Our results showed that an integrated thermodynamic-kinetic model obtained from a single-ion experiment can be extended to describe complex multi-ion interactions, indicating the robustness and scalability of the model's parameters. This approach can be used to construct more comprehensive equilibrium and dynamic models of the actual soil environment.

Numerical reproduction of dissolved U concentrations in a PO4-treated column study of Hanford 300 area sediment using a simple ion exchange and immobile domain model

We succeeded at numerical reproduction of dissolved U concentrations from column experiments with PO₄-treated Hanford 300 Area sediment using a simple ion exchange and immobile domain model. The time-series curves of dissolved U concentrations under various Darcy flow rate conditions were reproduced by the numerical model in the present study through optimization of the following parameters: the mass of U in mobile domain (on surface soil connected to the stream) to fit the starting U concentration at the column exit, and the rest of the total U was left as precipitation in immobile domain (isolated in deep soil); the mixing ratio between immobile and mobile domains, to fit the final recovering curve of concentration; and the cation exchange capacity (CEC_Zp) and equilibrium constant (k_Zp) of the exchange reaction of UO₂²⁺ and H⁺ on simulated soil surface (Z_p), to fit the transient equilibrium concentration, forming the bed of the bathtub curve. Numerical setting of no U in immobile domain or no mixing between immobile and mobile domains caused all U flushed out of the column exit, and setting of no CEC on Z_p, formed no transient equilibrium concentration. The ion exchange immobile domain model is so common that it has become a standard process in the general-purpose geochemical program Phreeqc. Optimization of this model led to the development of the model presented here, which was capable of explaining the fluctuations in dissolved U concentration well and reproducing column experiments under various conditions.

Towards the application of electrokinetic remediation for nuclear site decommissioning

Contamination encountered on nuclear sites includes radionuclides as well as a range of non-radioactive co-contaminants, often in low-permeability substrates such as concretes or clays. However, many commercial remediation techniques are ineffective in these substrates. By contrast, electrokinetic remediation (EKR), where an electric current is applied to remove contaminants from the treated media, retains high removal efficiencies in low permeability substrates. Here, we evaluate recent developments in EKR for the removal of radionuclides in contaminated substrates, including caesium, uranium and others, and the current benefits and limitations of this technology. Further, we assess the present state of EKR for nuclear site applications using real-world examples, and outline key areas for future application.

Partitioning of uranium in contaminated bottom sediments: The meaning of fractionation

Sequential extraction tests were used to study partitioning of U in the bottom sediments of two reservoirs that have been used for the temporary storage of nuclear waste at the "Mining and Chemical Combine" (Zheleznogorsk, Krasnoyarsk region, Russia). Various sequential extraction protocols were applied to the bottom sediment samples and the results compared with those obtained for laboratory-prepared simulated samples with different speciation and partitioning, e.g., U(VI) sorbed onto various inorganic minerals and organic matter, as well as uranium oxides. The distributions of uranium in fractions extracted from simulated and actual contaminated samples were compared to shed light on the speciation of U in the bottom sediments. X-ray absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy were also used to analyze the partitioning of U in contaminated sediments. We also compared the results obtained using the spectroscopic and microscopic techniques, as well as sequential extraction.

Enthalpy of Uranium Adsorption onto Hematite

The influence of temperature on the adsorption of metal ions at the solid-water interface is often overlooked, despite the important role that adsorption plays in metal-ion fate and transport in the natural environment where temperatures vary widely. Herein, we examine the temperature-dependent adsorption of uranium, a widespread radioactive contaminant, onto the ubiquitous iron oxide, hematite. The multitemperature batch adsorption data and surface complexation models indicate that the adsorption of uranium, as the hexavalent uranyl (UO₂²⁺) ion, increases significantly with increasing temperature, with an adsorption enthalpy (ΔH_ads) of +71 kJ mol^-1. We suggest that this endothermic, entropically driven adsorption behavior is linked to reorganization of the uranyl-ion hydration and interfacial water structures upon U^VI adsorption at the hematite surface. Overall, this work provides fundamental insight into the thermodynamics driving metal-ion adsorption reactions and provides the specific enthalpy value necessary for improved predictive geochemical modeling of U^VI adsorption in the environment.

Dissolved Carbonate and pH Control the Dissolution of Uranyl Phosphate Minerals in Flow-Through Porous Media

Uranyl phosphate minerals represent an important secondary source of uranium release at contaminated sites. In flow-through column experiments with background porewater (BPW) of typical freshwater aquifer composition (pH 7.0, ∼0.2 mM total carbonate (TC)), dissolution of K-ankoleite (KUO₂PO₄·3H₂O), Na-autunite (NaUO₂PO₄·3H₂O), and Ca-autunite (Ca(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂·6H₂O) was controlled by mineral solubility at steady-state U release. Effluent concentrations indicated exchange with BPW cations, and postreaction characterization showed alteration of the initial mineral composition, changes in structure (decreased crystallinity, increased disorder, and distortion of U-P mineral sheets) and possible neoformation of phases of similar structure. Increasing the BPW pH and TC to 8.1-8.2 and 2.2-3.7 mM, respectively, resulted in mineral undersaturation and produced ca. 2 orders-of-magnitude higher U and P release without reaching steady state. Minerals incorporated less BPW cations into their structures compared to low carbonate BPW experiments but showed structural disorder and distortion. Faster dissolution rates were attributed to the formation of binary and ternary uranyl carbonate complexes that accelerate the rate-determining step of uranyl detachment from the uranyl-phosphate layered structure. Calculated dissolution rates (log R_s between -8.95 and -10.32 mol m^-2 s^-1), accounting for reaction and transport in porous media, were similar to dissolution rates of other classes of uranyl minerals. In undersaturated solutions, dissolution rates for uranyl phosphate, oxyhydroxide, and silicate minerals can be predicted within 1-2 orders-of-magnitude from pH ∼5-10 on the basis of pH/carbonate concentration.

A Robust Model for Prediction of U(VI) Adsorption onto Ferrihydrite Consistent with Spectroscopic Observations

A robust model that can predict the adsorption behavior of U(VI) on ferrihydrite under a wide range of environmental conditions was developed with the aid of an extended triple-layer model. X-ray absorption spectroscopic observations from previous studies showed that the predominant U(VI) surface species on ferrihydrite was commonly a bidentate inner-sphere species under ambient CO₂ conditions. Previous surface complexation models, however, could not predict U(VI) surface speciation because of the lack of sufficient macroscopic adsorption datasets with which to estimate the surface complexation reaction. In this study, we obtained U(VI) adsorption data at U(VI) concentrations of 10nM under a wide range of pH, ionic strength, and solid concentrations in NaNO₃ solutions with/without atmospheric CO₂. We determined the stoichiometries of the U(VI) adsorption reactions and the equilibrium constants with the adsorption data and the U(VI) hydroxyl constants recently estimated from direct luminescence measurements. A single set of equilibrium constants for the reactions could reproduce reasonably well the reported adsorption datasets obtained under a wide range of pH values (2-12), U(VI) concentrations (10^-8 to 10^-4 M), ionic strengths (0.004-0.5), and CO₂ partial pressures (<10^-6 to 10^-1.7 atm). The model could also predict all U(VI) surface speciation consistent with previous spectroscopic observations under a wide range of solution conditions.

Resolving the kinetics of individual aqueous reaction steps of actinyl (AnO2 + and AnO2 2+; An=U, Np, and Pu) tricarbonate complexes with ferrous iron and hydrogen sulfide from first principles

The solubility and mobility of actinides (An), like uranium, neptunium, and plutonium, in the environment largely depends on their oxidation states. Actinyls (AnV,VIO2 +/2+ (aq)) form strong complexes with available ligands, like carbonate (CO3 2−), which may inhibit reduction to relatively insoluble AnIVO2(s). Here we use quantum-mechanical calculations to explore the kinetics of aqueous homogeneous reaction paths of actinyl tricarbonate complexes ([AnO2(CO3)3]5−/4−) with two different reductants, [Fe(OH)2(H2O)4]0 and [H2S(H2O)6]0. Energetically-favorable outer-sphere complexes (OSC) are found to form rapidly, on the order of milliseconds to seconds over a wide actinyl concentration range (pM to mM). The systems then encounter energy barriers (E a), some of which are prohibitively high (>100 kJ/mol for some neptunyl and plutonyl reactions with Fe2+ and H2S), that define the transition from outer- to inner-sphere complex (ISC; for example, calculated E a of ISC formation between UO2 + and UO2 2+ with Fe2+ are 35 and 74 kJ/mol, respectively). In some reactions, multiple OSCs are observed that represent different hydrogen bonding networks between solvent molecules and carbonate. Even when forming ISCs, electron transfer to reduce An6+ and An5+ is not observed (no change in atomic spin values or lengthening of An–Oax bond distances). Proton transfer from bicarbonate and water to actinyl O was tested as a mechanism for electron transfer from Fe2+ to U6+ and Pu6+. Not all proton transfer reactions yielded reduction of An6+ to An5+ and only a few pathways were energetically-favorable (e. g. H+ transfer from H2O to drive Pu6+ reduction to Pu5+ with ΔE = −5 kJ/mol). The results suggest that the tricarbonate complex serves as an effective shield against actinide reduction in the tested reactions and will maintain actinyl solubility at elevated pH conditions. The results highlight reaction steps, such as inner-sphere complex formation and electron transfer, which may be rate-limiting. Thus, this study may serve as the basis for future research on how they can be catalyzed by a mineral surface in a heterogeneous process.

Co-transport of U(VI) and akaganéite colloids in water-saturated porous media: Role of U(VI) concentration, pH and ionic strength

Remediating uranium contamination becomes a worldwide interest because of increasing uranium release from mining activities. Due to ubiquitous presence of pyrite and the application of iron-based technology, colloidal iron oxy-hydroxides such as akaganéite colloid (AKC) extensively exist in uranium polluted water at uranium tailing sites. In this context, we studied individual and co-transport of U(VI) and AKC in water-saturated sand columns at 50 mg/L AKC and environmentally relevant U(VI) concentrations (5.0 × 10^-7 ∼ 5.0 × 10^-5 M). It was found that, in addition to the impact of pH and ionic strength, whether AKC facilitated U(VI) transport depended on U(VI) concentration as well. The presence of AKC facilitated U(VI) transport at relatively low U(VI) concentration (5.0 × 10^-7 ∼ 5.0 × 10^-6 M), which was due to the strong adsorption of U(VI) on AKC and faster transport of AKC than that U(VI) as observed in their individual transport experiments. At relatively high U(VI) concentrations (5.0 × 10^-5 M), however, AKC impeded U(VI) transport because U(VI) of high concentration decreased AKC colloidal stability and increased AKC aggregation and attachment. Thus, U(VI) and AKC co-transport was even blocked completely at relatively high pH and ionic strength. The mechanisms behind the co-transport of U(VI) and AKC were also confirmed by assessing the evolutions of aqueous pH and AKC zeta potential and particle size distribution in the column effluents. A two-site non-equilibrium model and a two-site kinetic attachment/detachment model well-described the breakthrough curves of U(VI) and AKC, respectively. Knowledge generated from this study provides a thorough understanding of uranium transport in the absence/presence of AKC, and brings new insights into the influence of contaminant concentration on co-transport in the presence of colloids.

A Model of Uranium Uptake by Plant Roots Allowing for Root-Induced Changes in the soil

We develop a model with which to study the poorly understood mechanisms of uranium (U) uptake by plants. The model is based on equations for transport and reaction of U and acids and bases in the rhizosphere around cylindrical plant roots. It allows for the speciation of U with hydroxyl, carbonate, and organic ligands in the soil solution; the nature and kinetics of sorption reactions with the soil solid; and the effects of root-induced changes in rhizosphere pH. A sensitivity analysis showed the importance of soil sorption and speciation parameters as influenced by pH and CO₂ pressure; and of root geometry and root-induced acid-base changes linked to the form of nitrogen taken up by the root. The root absorbing coefficient for U, relating influx to the concentration of U species in solution at the root surface, was also important. Simplified empirical models of U uptake by different plant species and soil types need to account for these effects.

Reactive Transport of U and V from Abandoned Uranium Mine Wastes

The reactive transport of uranium (U) and vanadium(V) from abandoned mine wastes collected from the Blue Gap/Tachee Claim-28 mine site in Arizona was investigated by integrating flow-through column experiments with reactive transport modeling, and electron microscopy. The mine wastes were sequentially reacted in flow-through columns at pH 7.9 (10 mM HCO₃^-) and pH 3.4 (10 mM CH₃COOH) to evaluate the effect of environmentally relevant conditions encountered at Blue Gap/Tachee on the release of U and V. The reaction rate constants (k_m) for the dissolution of uranyl-vanadate (U-V) minerals predominant at Blue Gap/Tachee were obtained from simulations with the reactive transport software, PFLOTRAN. The estimated reaction rate constants were within 1 order of magnitude for pH 7.9 (k_m = 4.8 × 10^-13 mol cm^-2 s^-1) and pH 3.4 (k_m = 3.2 × 10^-13 mol cm^-2 s^-1). However, the estimated equilibrium constants (K_eq) for U-V bearing minerals were more than 6 orders of magnitude different for reaction at circumneutral pH (K_eq = 10^-38.65) compared to acidic pH (K_eq = 10^-44.81). These results coupled with electron microscopy data suggest that the release of U and V is affected by water pH and the crystalline structure of U-V bearing minerals. The findings from this investigation have important implications for risk exposure assessment, remediation, and resource recovery of U and V in locations where U-V-bearing minerals are abundant.

Uranium Release from Acidic Weathered Hanford Sediments: Single-Pass Flow-Through and Column Experiments

The reaction of acidic radioactive waste with sediments can induce mineral transformation reactions that, in turn, control contaminant fate. Here, sediment weathering by synthetic uranium-containing acid solutions was investigated using bench-scale experiments to simulate waste disposal conditions at Hanford's cribs (Hanford, WA). During acid weathering, the presence of phosphate exerted a strong influence over uranium mineralogy and a rapidly precipitated, crystalline uranium phosphate phase (meta-ankoleite [K(UO₂)(PO₄)·3H₂O]) was identified using spectroscopic and diffraction-based techniques. In phosphate-free system, uranium oxyhydroxide minerals such as K-compreignacite [K₂(UO₂)₆O₄(OH)₆·7H₂O] were formed. Single-pass flow-through (SPFT) and column leaching experiments using synthetic Hanford pore water showed that uranium precipitated as meta-ankoleite during acid weathering was strongly retained in the sediments, with an average release rate of 2.67 × 10^-12 mol g^-1 s^-1. In the absence of phosphate, uranium release was controlled by dissolution of uranium oxyhydroxide (compreignacite-type) mineral with a release rate of 1.05-2.42 × 10^-10 mol g^-1 s^-1. The uranium mineralogy and release rates determined for both systems in this study support the development of accurate U-release models for the prediction of contaminant transport. These results suggest that phosphate minerals may be a good candidate for uranium remediation approaches at contaminated sites.

Uranium mobility and accumulation along the Rio Paguate, Jackpile Mine in Laguna Pueblo, NM

The mobility and accumulation of uranium (U) along the Rio Paguate, adjacent to the Jackpile Mine, in Laguna Pueblo, New Mexico was investigated using aqueous chemistry, electron microprobe, X-ray diffraction and spectroscopy analyses. Given that it is not common to identify elevated concentrations of U in surface water sources, the Rio Paguate is a unique site that concerns the Laguna Pueblo community. This study aims to better understand the solid chemistry of abandoned mine waste sediments from the Jackpile Mine and identify key hydrogeological and geochemical processes that affect the fate of U along the Rio Paguate. Solid analyses using X-ray fluorescence determined that sediments located in the Jackpile Mine contain ranges of 320 to 9200 mg kg^-1 U. The presence of coffinite, a U(iv)-bearing mineral, was identified by X-ray diffraction analyses in abandoned mine waste solids exposed to several decades of weathering and oxidation. The dissolution of these U-bearing minerals from abandoned mine wastes could contribute to U mobility during rain events. The U concentration in surface waters sampled closest to mine wastes are highest during the southwestern monsoon season. Samples collected from September 2014 to August 2016 showed higher U concentrations in surface water adjacent to the Jackpile Mine (35.3 to 772 μg L^-1) compared with those at a wetland 4.5 kilometers downstream of the mine (5.77 to 110 μg L^-1). Sediments co-located in the stream bed and bank along the reach between the mine and wetland had low U concentrations (range 1-5 mg kg^-1) compared to concentrations in wetland sediments with higher organic matter (14-15%) and U concentrations (2-21 mg kg^-1). Approximately 10% of the total U in wetland sediments was amenable to complexation with 1 mM sodium bicarbonate in batch experiments; a decrease of U concentration in solution was observed over time in these experiments likely due to re-association with sediments in the reactor. The findings from this study provide new insights about how hydrologic events may affect the reactivity of U present in mine waste solids exposed to surface oxidizing conditions, and the influence of organic-rich sediments on U accumulation in the Rio Paguate.

Water Table Dynamics and Biogeochemical Cycling in a Shallow, Variably-Saturated Floodplain

Three-dimensional variably saturated flow and multicomponent biogeochemical reactive transport modeling, based on published and newly generated data, is used to better understand the interplay of hydrology, geochemistry, and biology controlling the cycling of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, iron, sulfur, and uranium in a shallow floodplain. In this system, aerobic respiration generally maintains anoxic groundwater below an oxic vadose zone until seasonal snowmelt-driven water table peaking transports dissolved oxygen (DO) and nitrate from the vadose zone into the alluvial aquifer. The response to this perturbation is localized due to distinct physico-biogeochemical environments and relatively long time scales for transport through the floodplain aquifer and vadose zone. Naturally reduced zones (NRZs) containing sediments higher in organic matter, iron sulfides, and non-crystalline U(IV) rapidly consume DO and nitrate to maintain anoxic conditions, yielding Fe(II) from FeS oxidative dissolution, nitrite from denitrification, and U(VI) from nitrite-promoted U(IV) oxidation. Redox cycling is a key factor for sustaining the observed aquifer behaviors despite continuous oxygen influx and the annual hydrologically induced oxidation event. Depth-dependent activity of fermenters, aerobes, nitrate reducers, sulfate reducers, and chemolithoautotrophs (e.g., oxidizing Fe(II), S compounds, and ammonium) is linked to the presence of DO, which has higher concentrations near the water table.

Phosphate-Induced Immobilization of Uranium in Hanford Sediments

Phosphate can be added to subsurface environments to immobilize U(VI) contamination. The efficacy of immobilization depends on the site-specific groundwater chemistry and aquifer sediment properties. Batch and column experiments were performed with sediments from the Hanford 300 Area in Washington State and artificial groundwater prepared to emulate the conditions at the site. Batch experiments revealed enhanced U(VI) sorption with increasing phosphate addition. X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements of samples from the batch experiments found that U(VI) was predominantly adsorbed at conditions relevant to the column experiments and most field sites (low U(VI) loadings, <25 μM), and U(VI) phosphate precipitation occurred only at high initial U(VI) (>25 μM) and phosphate loadings. While batch experiments showed the transition of U(VI) uptake from adsorption to precipitation, the column study was more directly relevant to the subsurface environment because of the high solid:water ratio in the column and the advective flow of water. In column experiments, nearly six times more U(VI) was retained in sediments when phosphate-containing groundwater was introduced to U(VI)-loaded sediments than when the groundwater did not contain phosphate. This enhanced retention persisted for at least one month after cessation of phosphate addition to the influent fluid. Sequential extractions and laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy of sediments from the columns suggested that the retained U(VI) was primarily in adsorbed forms. These results indicate that in situ remediation of groundwater by phosphate addition provides lasting benefit beyond the treatment period via enhanced U(VI) adsorption to sediments.

Internal Domains of Natural Porous Media Revealed: Critical Locations for Transport, Storage, and Chemical Reaction

Internal pore domains exist within rocks, lithic fragments, subsurface sediments, and soil aggregates. These domains, termed internal domains in porous media (IDPM), represent a subset of a material's porosity, contain a significant fraction of their porosity as nanopores, dominate the reactive surface area of diverse media types, and are important locations for chemical reactivity and fluid storage. IDPM are key features controlling hydrocarbon release from shales in hydraulic fracture systems, organic matter decomposition in soil, weathering and soil formation, and contaminant behavior in the vadose zone and groundwater. Traditionally difficult to interrogate, advances in instrumentation and imaging methods are providing new insights on the physical structures and chemical attributes of IDPM, and their contributions to system behaviors. Here we discuss analytical methods to characterize IDPM, evaluate information on their size distributions, connectivity, and extended structures; determine whether they exhibit unique chemical reactivity; and assess the potential for their inclusion in reactive transport models. Ongoing developments in measurement technologies and sensitivity, and computer-assisted interpretation will improve understanding of these critical features in the future. Impactful research opportunities exist to advance understanding of IDPM, and to incorporate their effects in reactive transport models for improved environmental simulation and prediction.

Uranium in groundwater--Fertilizers versus geogenic sources

Due to its radiological and toxicological properties even at low concentration levels, uranium is increasingly recognized as relevant contaminant in drinking water from aquifers. Uranium originates from different sources, including natural or geogenic, mining and industrial activities, and fertilizers in agriculture. The goal of this study was to obtain insights into the origin of uranium in groundwater while differentiating between geogenic sources and fertilizers. A literature review concerning the sources and geochemical processes affecting the occurrence and distribution of uranium in the lithosphere, pedosphere and hydrosphere provided the background for the evaluation of data on uranium in groundwater at regional scale. The state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, was selected for this study, because of its hydrogeological and land-use diversity, and for reasons of data availability. Uranium and other parameters from N=1935 groundwater monitoring sites were analyzed statistically and geospatially. Results show that (i) 1.6% of all water samples exceed the German legal limit for drinking water (10 μg/L); (ii) The range and spatial distribution of uranium and occasional peak values seem to be related to geogenic sources; (iii) There is a clear relation between agricultural land-use and low-level uranium concentrations, indicating that fertilizers generate a measurable but low background of uranium in groundwater.

Elevated Concentrations of U and Co-occurring Metals in Abandoned Mine Wastes in a Northeastern Arizona Native American Community

The chemical interactions of U and co-occurring metals in abandoned mine wastes in a Native American community in northeastern Arizona were investigated using spectroscopy, microscopy and aqueous chemistry. The concentrations of U (67-169 μg L(-1)) in spring water samples exceed the EPA maximum contaminant limit of 30 μg L(-1). Elevated U (6,614 mg kg(-1)), V (15,814 mg kg(-1)), and As (40 mg kg(-1)) concentrations were detected in mine waste solids. Spectroscopy (XPS and XANES) solid analyses identified U (VI), As (-I and III) and Fe (II, III). Linear correlations for the release of U vs V and As vs Fe were observed for batch experiments when reacting mine waste solids with 10 mM ascorbic acid (∼pH 3.8) after 264 h. The release of U, V, As, and Fe was at least 4-fold lower after reaction with 10 mM bicarbonate (∼pH 8.3). These results suggest that U-V mineral phases similar to carnotite [K2(UO2)2V2O8] and As-Fe-bearing phases control the availability of U and As in these abandoned mine wastes. Elevated concentrations of metals are of concern due to human exposure pathways and exposure of livestock currently ingesting water in the area. This study contributes to understanding the occurrence and mobility of metals in communities located close to abandoned mine waste sites.

Influence of Carbon and Microbial Community Priming on the Attenuation of Uranium in a Contaminated Floodplain Aquifer

The capacity for subsurface sediments to sequester radionuclide contaminants, such as uranium (U), and retain them after bioremediation efforts are completed is critical to the long-term stewardship of re-mediated sites. In U bioremediation strategies, carbon amendment stimulates bioreduction of U(VI) to U(IV), immobilizing it within the sediments. Sediments enriched in natural organic matter are naturally capable of sequestering significant U, but may serve as sources to the aquifer, contributing to plume persistence. Two types of organic-rich sediments were compared to better understand U release mechanisms. Sediments that were artificially primed for U removal were retrieved from an area previously biostimulated while detrital-rich sediments were collected from a location never subject to amendment. Batch incubations demonstrated that primed sediments rapidly removed uranium from the groundwater, whereas naturally reduced sediments released a sizeable portion of U before U(VI)-reduction commenced. Column experiments confirmed that U release persisted for 65 pore volumes in naturally reduced sediments, demonstrating their sink-source behavior. Acetate addition to primed sediments shifted the microbial community from sulfate-reducing bacteria within Desulfobacteraceae to the iron-reducing Geobacteraceae and Firmicutes, associated with efficient U(VI) removal and retention, respectively. In contrast, Geobacteraceae communities in naturally reduced sediments were replaced by sequences with similarity to Pseudomonas spp. during U release, while U(VI) removal only occurred with enrichment of Firmicutes. These investigations stress the importance of characterizing zones with heterogeneous carbon pools at U-contaminated sites prior to the determination of a remedial strategy to identify areas, which may contribute to long-term sourcing of the contaminants.

Transport of U(VI) through sediments amended with phosphate to induce in situ uranium immobilization

Phosphate amendments can be added to U(VI)-contaminated subsurface environments to promote in situ remediation. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of phosphate addition on the transport of U(VI) through contaminated sediments. In batch experiments using sediments (<2 mm size fraction) from a site in Rifle, Colorado, U(VI) only weakly adsorbed due to the dominance of the aqueous speciation by Ca-U(VI)-carbonate complexes. Column experiments with these sediments were performed with flow rates that correspond to a groundwater velocity of 1.1 m/day. In the absence of phosphate, the sediments took up 1.68-1.98 μg U/g of sediments when the synthetic groundwater influent contained 4 μM U(VI). When U(VI)-free influents were then introduced with and without phosphate, substantially more uranium was retained within the column when phosphate was present in the influent. Sequential extractions of sediments from the columns revealed that uranium was uniformly distributed along the length of the columns and was primarily in forms that could be extracted by ion exchange and contact with a weak acid. Laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy (LIFS) analysis along with sequential extraction results suggest adsorption as the dominant uranium uptake mechanism. The response of dissolved uranium concentrations to stopped-flow events and the comparison of experimental data with simulations from a simple reactive transport model indicated that uranium adsorption to and desorption from the sediments was not always at local equilibrium.

Uranium bioreduction rates across scales: biogeochemical hot moments and hot spots during a biostimulation experiment at Rifle, Colorado

We aim to understand the scale-dependent evolution of uranium bioreduction during a field experiment at a former uranium mill site near Rifle, Colorado. Acetate was injected to stimulate Fe-reducing bacteria (FeRB) and to immobilize aqueous U(VI) to insoluble U(IV). Bicarbonate was coinjected in half of the domain to mobilize sorbed U(VI). We used reactive transport modeling to integrate hydraulic and geochemical data and to quantify rates at the grid block (0.25 m) and experimental field scale (tens of meters). Although local rates varied by orders of magnitude in conjunction with biostimulation fronts propagating downstream, field-scale rates were dominated by those orders of magnitude higher rates at a few selected hot spots where Fe(III), U(VI), and FeRB were at their maxima in the vicinity of the injection wells. At particular locations, the hot moments with maximum rates negatively corresponded to their distance from the injection wells. Although bicarbonate injection enhanced local rates near the injection wells by a maximum of 39.4%, its effect at the field scale was limited to a maximum of 10.0%. We propose a rate-versus-measurement-length relationship (log R' = -0.63 log L - 2.20, with R' in μmol/mg cell protein/day and L in meters) for orders-of-magnitude estimation of uranium bioreduction rates across scales.

Uranium release from sediment to groundwater: influence of water chemistry and insights into release mechanisms

Uranium (U) contamination in groundwater often results from natural geochemical processes such as mineral dissolution and desorption of adsorbed U from mineral surface. Although U adsorption and U mineral dissolution have been extensively studied, current knowledge of minerals and water chemistry conditions that control U release in uncontaminated soil and aquifers is still limited. Identification of these minerals and the knowledge of how water chemistry conditions influence U release is critical to better understand, predict, and manage geogenic U contamination in soil and groundwater. The objective of this study is to determine the extent and mechanisms of U release from a heterogeneous natural sediment under water chemistry conditions relevant to natural soil water and groundwater. A sediment sample was collected and characterized by XRD, SEM-EDX and extraction methods, and examined using laboratory leaching experiments. Our results show that Fe-Mn (oxy)hydroxides and silicate minerals are the major U hosting minerals, and a substantial fraction of U exists as adsorbed ions on minerals. We also found that U release is controlled by a number of interactive processes including dissolution of U-bearing minerals, U desorption from mineral surface, formation of aqueous U complexes, and reductive precipitation of U. Results from this study shed light on the important geochemical reactions that need be considered for developing a conceptual model that predicts U contamination in subsurface environment.

Influence of calcite on uranium(VI) reactive transport in the groundwater-river mixing zone

Calcite is an important, relatively soluble mineral phase that can affect uranium reactive transport in subsurface sediments. This study was conducted to investigate the distribution of calcite and its influence on uranium adsorption and reactive transport in the groundwater-river mixing zone of the Hanford 300A site, Washington State. Simulations using a two-dimensional (2D) reactive transport model under field-relevant hydrological and hydrogeochemical conditions revealed the development of a calcite reaction front through the mixing zone as a result of dynamic groundwater-river interactions. The calcite concentration distribution, in turn, affected the concentrations of aqueous carbonate and calcium, and pH through dissolution, as river waters intruded and receded from the site at different velocities in response to stage changes. The composition variations in groundwater subsequently influenced uranium mobility and discharge rates into the river in a complex fashion. The results implied that calcite distribution and concentration are important variables that need to be quantified for accurate reactive transport predictions of uranium, especially in dynamic groundwater-river mixing zones.

Uncertainty analysis of multi-rate kinetics of uranium desorption from sediments

Multi-rate surface complexation models have been proposed to describe the kinetics of uranyl (U(VI)) surface complexation reactions (SCR) rate-limited by diffusive mass transfer to and from intragranular sorption sites in subsurface sediments. In this study, a Bayesian-based, Differential Evolution Markov Chain method was used to assess the uncertainty and to identify factors controlling the uncertainties of the multi-rate SCR model. The rate constants in the multi-rate SCR were estimated with and without assumption of a specified lognormal distribution to test the lognormal assumption typically used to minimize the number of the rate constants in the multi-rate model. U(VI) desorption under variable chemical conditions from a contaminated sediment at US Hanford 300 Area, Washington was used as an example. The results indicated that the estimated rate constants without a specified lognormal assumption approximately followed a lognormal distribution, indicating that the lognormal is an effective assumption for the rate constants in the multi-rate SCR model. However, those rate constants with their corresponding half-lives longer than the experimental durations for model characterization had larger uncertainties and could not be reliably estimated. The uncertainty analysis revealed that the time-scale of the experiments for calibrating the multi-rate SCR model, the assumption for the rate constant distribution, the geochemical conditions involved in predicting U(VI) desorption, and equilibrium U(VI) speciation reaction constants were the major factors contributing to the extrapolation uncertainties of the multi-rate SCR model. Overall, the results from this study demonstrated that the multi-rate SCR model with a lognormal distribution of its rate constants is an effective approach for describing rate-limited U(VI) desorption; however, the model contains uncertainties, especially for those smaller rate constants, that require careful consideration for predicting U(VI) sorption and desorption.

Establishing a geochemical heterogeneity model for a contaminated vadose zone--aquifer system

A large set of sediment samples from a 1600 m² experimental plot within a 2.2 km² vadose zone and groundwater uranium (VI) plume was subject to physical, chemical, and mineralogic characterization. The plot is being used for field experimentation on U(VI) recharge and transport processes within a persistent groundwater plume that exists in the groundwater-river interaction zone of the Columbia River at the U.S. DOE Hanford site. The samples were obtained during the installation of 35 tightly spaced (10 m separation) groundwater monitoring wells. The characterization measurements for each sample included total contaminant concentrations (U and Cu primarily), bicarbonate extractable U(VI), sequential ²³⁸U(VI) contaminant desorption Kd, ²³³U(VI) adsorption K(d), grain size distribution, surface area, extractable poorly crystalline Fe(III) oxides, and mineralogy. The characterization objective was to inform a conceptual model of coupled processes controlling the anomalous longevity of the plume, and to quantify the spatial heterogeneity of the contaminant inventory and the primary properties effecting reactive transport. Correlations were drawn between chemical, physical, and reaction properties, and Gaussian simulation was used to compute multiple 3-D realizations of extractable U(VI), the ²³³U(VI) adsorption K(d), and the distribution of the reactive <2 mm fraction. Adsorbed contaminant U(VI) was highest in the vadose zone and the zone of seasonal water table fluctuation lying at its base. Adsorbed U(VI) was measureable, but low, in the groundwater plume region where very high hydraulic conductivities existed. The distribution of adsorbed U(VI) displayed no apparent correlation with sediment physical or chemical properties. Desorption [²³⁸U(IV)] and adsorption [²³³U(VI)] K(d) values showed appreciable differences due to mass transfer controlled surface complexation and the effects of long subsurface residence times. The ²³³U(VI) adsorption K(d), a combined measure of surface complexation strength and site concentration, was relatively uniform throughout the domain, displaying correlation with fines distribution and surface area. The characterization results revealed U(VI) supplied to the groundwater plume through spatially heterogeneous recharge from residual contamination in the zone of seasonal water table fluctuation, and transport of U(VI) controlled by weak, kinetically-controlled surface complexation in the coarse-textured saturated zone. Geostatistical relationships for the adsorbed contaminant U distribution in the characterization domain allow an extrapolation to inventory at the plume scale, a critical unknown for remedial action.

Reactive transport of uranium with bacteria in fractured rock: model development and sensitivity analysis

A numerical model for the reactive transport of uranium and bacteria in fractured rock was newly developed. The conceptual model consists of four phases (fracture, fracture surface, matrix pore, and matrix solid) and eight constituents (solutes in the fracture, on the fracture surface, on mobile bacteria, on immobile bacteria, in the rock matrix pores and on the rock matrix solids, and bacteria in the fracture and on the fracture surface). In addition to the kinetic sorption/desorption of uranium and bacteria, uranium reduction reaction accompanying with bacteria growth was considered in the reactive transport. The non-linear reactive transport equations were numerically solved using the symmetric sequential iterative scheme of the operator-splitting method. The transport and kinetic reaction modules in the developed model were separately verified, and the results were reasonably acceptable. From the sensitivity analysis, the uranium transport was generally more sensitive to the sorption rate rather than desorption rate of U(VI). Considering a uranium reduction reaction, bacteria could considerably retard the uranium transport no matter the uranium sorption/desorption rates. As the affinity of U(VI) onto the bacteria becomes higher than that onto a rock fracture surface, a biofilm effect, rather than a colloidal effect, of the bacteria becomes more influential on the uranium transport.

Fate of 90Sr and U(VI) in Dounreay sediments following saline inundation and erosion

There is concern that sea level rise associated with projected climate change will lead to the inundation, flooding and erosion of soils and sediments contaminated with radionuclides at coastal nuclear sites, such as Dounreay (UK), with seawater. Here batch and column experiments were designed to simulate these scenarios and sequential extractions were used to identify the key radionuclide solid phase associations. Strontium was exchangeable and was mobilised rapidly by ion exchange with seawater Mg(2+) in both batch and column experiments. In contrast, U was more strongly bound to the sediments and mobilisation was initially limited by the influence of the sediment on the pH of the water. Release was only observed when the pH increased above 6.9, suggesting that the formation of soluble U(VI)-carbonate species was important. Under dynamic flow conditions, long term release was significant (47%), but controlled by slow desorption kinetics from a range of binding sites.

Simplified behaviors from increased heterogeneity: II. 3-D uranium transport at the decimeter scale and intertank comparisons

Upscaling from bench scale systems to field scale systems incorporates physical and chemical heterogeneities from atomistic up to field scales. Heterogeneities of intermediate scale (~10(-1) m) are impossible to incorporate in a bench scale experiment. To transcend these scale discrepancies, this second in a pair of papers presents results from an intermediate scale, 3-D tank experiment completed using five different particle sizes of uranium contaminated sediment from a former uranium mill field site. The external dimensions of the tank were 2.44 m×0.61 m×0.61 m (L×H×W). The five particle sizes were packed in a heterogeneous manner using roughly 11 cm cubes. Small groundwater wells were installed for spatial characterization of chemical gradients and flow parameters. An approximately six month long bromide tracer test was used for flow field characterization. Within the flow domain, local uranium breakthrough curves exhibited a wide range of behaviors. However, the global effluent breakthrough curve was smooth, and not unlike breakthrough curves observed in column scale experiments. This paper concludes with an inter-tank comparison of all three experimental systems presented in this pair of papers. Although there is a wide range of chemical and physical variability between the three tanks, major chemical constituent behaviors are often quite similar or even identical.

Simplified behaviors from increased heterogeneity: I. 2-D uranium transport experiments at the decimeter scale

Intermediate scale tank studies were conducted to examine the effects of physical heterogeneity of aquifer material on uranium desorption and subsequent transport in order to bridge the scaling gap between bench and field scale systems. Uranium contaminated sediment from a former uranium mill field site was packed into two 2-D tanks with internal dimensions of 2.44×1.22×0.076 m (tank 1) and 2.44×0.61×0.076 m (tank 2). Tank 1 was packed in a physically homogenous manner, and tank 2 was packed with long lenses of high and low conductivities resulting in different flow fields within the tanks. Chemical gradients within the flow domain were altered by temporal changes in influent water chemistry. The uranium source was desorption from the sediment. Despite the physical differences in the flow fields, there were minimal differences in global uranium leaching behavior between the two tanks. The dominant uranium species in both tanks over time and space was Ca2UO2(CO3)3(0). However, the uranium/alkalinity relationships varied as a function of time in tank 1 and were independent of time in tank 2. After planned stop-flow events, small, short-lived rebounds were observed in tank 1 while no rebound of uranium concentrations was observed in tank 2. Despite appearing to be in local equilibrium with respect to uranium desorption, a previously derived surface complexation model was insufficient to describe uranium partitioning within the flow domain. This is the first in a pair of papers; the companion paper presents an intermediate scale 3-D tank experiment and inter-tank comparisons. For these systems, physical heterogeneity at or above the decimeter scale does not affect global scale uranium desorption and transport. Instead, uranium fluxes are controlled by chemistry dependent desorption patterns induced by changing the influent ionic composition.

Persistence of uranium groundwater plumes: contrasting mechanisms at two DOE sites in the groundwater-river interaction zone

We examine subsurface uranium (U) plumes at two U.S. Department of Energy sites that are located near large river systems and are influenced by groundwater-river hydrologic interaction. Following surface excavation of contaminated materials, both sites were projected to naturally flush remnant uranium contamination to levels below regulatory limits (e.g., 30 μg/L or 0.126 μmol/L; U.S. EPA drinking water standard), with 10 years projected for the Hanford 300 Area (Columbia River) and 12 years for the Rifle site (Colorado River). The rate of observed uranium decrease was much lower than expected at both sites. While uncertainty remains, a comparison of current understanding suggests that the two sites have common, but also different mechanisms controlling plume persistence. At the Hanford 300 A, the persistent source is adsorbed U(VI) in the vadose zone that is released to the aquifer during spring water table excursions. The release of U(VI) from the vadose zone and its transport within the oxic, coarse-textured aquifer sediments is dominated by kinetically-limited surface complexation. Modeling implies that annual plume discharge volumes to the Columbia River are small (<one pore volume). At the Rifle site, slow oxidation of naturally reduced, contaminant U(IV) in the saturated zone and a continuous influx of U(VI) from natural, up-gradient sources influence plume persistence. Rate-limited mass transfer and surface complexation also control U(VI) migration velocity in the sub-oxic Rifle groundwater. Flux of U(VI) from the vadose zone at the Rifle site may be locally important, but it is not the dominant process that sustains the plume. A wide range in microbiologic functional diversity exists at both sites. Strains of Geobacter and other metal reducing bacteria are present at low natural abundance that are capable of enzymatic U(VI) reduction in localized zones of accumulated detrital organic carbon or after organic carbon amendment. Major differences between the sites include the geochemical nature of residual, contaminant U; the rates of current kinetic processes (both biotic and abiotic) influencing U(VI) solid-liquid distribution; the presence of detrital organic matter and the resulting spatial heterogeneity in microbially-driven redox properties; and the magnitude of groundwater hydrologic dynamics controlled by river-stage fluctuations, geologic structures, and aquifer hydraulic properties. The comparative analysis of these sites provides important guidance to the characterization, understanding, modeling, and remediation of groundwater contaminant plumes influenced by surface water interaction that are common world-wide.

Effect of diffusive transport limitations on UO2 dissolution

The effects of diffusive transport limitations on the dissolution of UO(2) were investigated using an artificial groundwater prepared to simulate the conditions at the Old Rifle aquifer site in Colorado, USA. Controlled batch, continuously-stirred tank (CSTR), and plug flow reactors were used to study UO(2) dissolution in the absence and presence of diffusive limitations exerted by permeable sample cells. The net rate of uranium release following oxidative UO(2) dissolution obtained from diffusion-limited batch experiments was ten times lower than that obtained for UO(2) dissolution with no permeable sample cells. The release rate of uranium to bulk solution from UO(2) contained in permeable sample cells under advective flow conditions was more than 100 times lower than that obtained from CSTR experiments without diffusive limitations. A 1-dimensional transport model was developed that could successfully simulate diffusion-limited release of U following oxidative UO(2) dissolution with the dominant rate-limiting process being the transport of U(VI) out of the cells. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS) characterization of the UO(2) solids recovered from batch experiments suggest that oxidative dissolution was more evident in the absence of diffusive limitations. Ca-EXAFS spectra indicate the presence of Ca in the reacted UO(2) solids with a coordination environment similar to that of a Ca-O-Si mineral. The findings from this study advance our overall understanding of the coupling of geochemical and transport processes that can lead to differences in dissolution rates measured in the field and in laboratory experiments.

Mobilization of technetium from reduced sediments under seawater inundation and intrusion scenarios

Predicted sea level rise would increase the vulnerability of low lying coastal legacy nuclear sites to inundation and intrusion with oxygenated seawater. This could have a significant impact on the mobility of redox-sensitive radionuclides such as Tc. Here, batch and column experiments were used to simulate and investigate the effect of these processes on the mobilization of Tc from sediments under a range of geochemically reduced conditions. Batch experiments showed that only a small proportion of Tc was rapidly (within 5 days) released from the sediments into seawater and groundwater. The subsequent Tc release was slowest and ultimately limited to the greatest extent (17%) in initially Fe-reducing sediments, when they were reoxidized in seawater. Thus, the cycling of iron and the impact of the water chemistry on iron mineralogy were important for hindering Tc release. Column experiments showed that iron minerals were less effective at retarding Tc release under flow-through conditions. Kinetically controlled and solubility limited Fe dissolution led to ongoing Tc release from the sediments; i.e. the retarding effect of iron phases was temporary, and significantly more Tc was mobilized (79-93%) compared with the batch experiments (17-45%). These results demonstrate the potential for Tc(IV) to be oxidized and mobilized from sediments at coastal nuclear sites resulting from predicted intrusion and inundation with oxic seawater.

Uranium release from different size fractions of sediments in Hanford 300 area, Washington, USA

Stirred-flow cell tests were carried out to investigate uranium (U) release from different size fractions of sediments from the U.S. Department of Energy's Hanford 300 Area in Washington, USA. Results show that the measured concentration of U release varies with different size fractions, with the fine-grained mass fractions (<75 μm, 75-500 μm, and 500-2000 μm) being the main U carriers. However, because the sediment is mainly composed of gravel (2000-8000 μm) materials, the gravel fraction is a non-negligible U pool. Our elution experiments give a value of 8.7% of the total U being in the gravel fraction, significantly reducing the current uncertainty in evaluating U inventory. A log-log plot of released U concentration vs. elution volume (i.e., elution time) shows a power-law relationship for all size fractions, with identical exponents for the three fine size fractions (-0.875). For the <2000 μm mass fraction, comparing our eluted U values with reported total U concentrations, we estimate that a lower bound value 8.6% of the total uranium is labile. This compares well with the previously published value of 11.8% labile U after extraction with a dilute extractant for three weeks.

Quantitative 3-D elemental mapping by LA-ICP-MS of a basaltic clast from the Hanford 300 Area, Washington, USA

Laser ablation with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used to measure elemental concentrations at the 100-μm scale in a 3-dimensional manner within a basaltic clast sample collected from the Hanford 300 Area in south-central Washington State, United States. A calibration method was developed to quantify the LA-ICP-MS signal response using a constant-sum mass fraction of eight major elements; the method produced reasonable concentration measurements for both major and trace elements when compared to a standard basalt sample with known concentrations. 3-Dimensional maps (stacked 2-D contour layers, each representing 2100 μm × 2100 μm) show relatively uniform concentration with depth for intrinsic elements such as Si, Na, and Sr. However, U and Cu accumulation were observed near the sample surface, consistent with the site's release history of these contaminants. U and Cu show substantial heterogeneity in their concentration distributions within horizontal slices, while the intrinsic elements are essentially uniformly distributed. From these measured U concentrations and published grain size distributions, gravel and cobbles were estimated to contain about 1% of the contaminant U, implicating the coarse fraction as a long-term release source.

Quantifying differences in the impact of variable chemistry on equilibrium Uranium(VI) adsorption properties of aquifer sediments

Uranium adsorption-desorption on sediment samples collected from the Hanford 300-Area, Richland, WA varied extensively over a range of field-relevant chemical conditions, complicating assessment of possible differences in equilibrium adsorption properties. Adsorption equilibrium was achieved in 500-1000 h although dissolved uranium concentrations increased over thousands of hours owing to changes in aqueous chemical composition driven by sediment-water reactions. A nonelectrostatic surface complexation reaction, >SOH + UO₂²⁺ + 2CO₃²⁻ = >SOUO₂(CO₃HCO₃)²⁻, provided the best fit to experimental data for each sediment sample resulting in a range of conditional equilibrium constants (logK(c)) from 21.49 to 21.76. Potential differences in uranium adsorption properties could be assessed in plots based on the generalized mass-action expressions yielding linear trends displaced vertically by differences in logK(c) values. Using this approach, logK(c) values for seven sediment samples were not significantly different. However, a significant difference in adsorption properties between one sediment sample and the fines (< 0.063 mm) of another could be demonstrated despite the fines requiring a different reaction stoichiometry. Estimates of logK(c) uncertainty were improved by capturing all data points within experimental errors. The mass-action expression plots demonstrate that applying models outside the range of conditions used in model calibration greatly increases potential errors.

Influence of contact time on the extraction of 233uranyl spike and contaminant uranium from Hanford Site sediment

The development of effective remediation strategies requires a comprehensive understanding of contaminant behavior in the environment. At the Hanford Site, located in southeastern Washington State (United States of America), seasonal fluctuations of the nearby Columbia River cause flushing of the 300 Area uranium (U) plume in the lower vadose zone. The variation of water chemistry alternately promotes adsorption and desorption of U from sediment. Therefore, the following question arises: what is the mobility of U in groundwater that has only recently became associated with sediment relative to U that has been associated with the sediment for decades? Geochemical transformations, including surface complexation, precipitation, and/or physical processes will impact U speciation as the contact time with sediment increases. To investigate this question, dissolved 233uranyl nitrate [UO2(NO3)2] was added to U-contaminated Hanford Site sediment and incubated for up to 1 year. Following 1-week, 1-month, and 1-year incubation periods, the extraction of U from the sediment was accomplished using either batch or continuous leach techniques, and multiple extractants. The elution of 233U during continuous leaching was influenced by the incubation period. The change in the 235U/233U ratio eluted was indicative of the extraction of different U phases, and was a function of the incubation period. Removal of 233U by batch extraction clearly showed the effects of the incubation period and extractant. The extractability of the 233U spike by some extractants is independent of incubation period (up to 1 year) suggesting it is present as either sorbed or surface precipitate phases. Model simulation of the data provides insight into the processes involved with the extraction of U from the sediment.

Effect of grain size on uranium(VI) surface complexation kinetics and adsorption additivity

The contribution of variable grain sizes to uranium adsorption/desorption was studied using a sediment from the US DOE Hanford site. The sediment was wet sieved into four size fractions: coarse sand (1-2 mm), medium sand (0.2-1 mm), fine sand (0.053-0.2 mm), and clay/silt fraction (<0.053 mm). For each size fraction and their composite (sediment), batch and flow-cell experiments were performed to determine uranium adsorption isotherms and kinetic uranium adsorption and subsequent desorption. The results showed that uranium adsorption isotherms and adsorption/desorption kinetics were size specific, reflecting the effects of size-specific adsorption site concentration and kinetic rate constants. The larger-size fraction had a larger mass percentage in the sediment but with a smaller adsorption site concentration and generally a slower uranium adsorption/desorption rate. The same equilibrium surface complexation reaction and reaction constant could describe uranium adsorption isotherms for all size fractions and the composite after accounting for the effect of adsorption site concentration. Mass-weighted, linear additivity was observed for both uranium adsorption isotherms and adsorption/desorption kinetics in the composite. One important implication of this study is that grain-size distribution may be used to estimate uranium adsorption site and adsorption/desorption kinetic rates in heterogeneous sediments from a common location.

Chromium transport in an acidic waste contaminated subsurface medium: the role of reduction

A series of wet chemical extractions and column experiments, combined with electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements, were conducted to estimate the extent of Cr(VI) desorption and determine the mechanism(s) of Cr(VI) attenuation in contaminated and naturally aged (decades) Hanford sediments which were exposed to dichromate and acidic waste solutions. Results from wet extractions demonstrated that contaminated sediments contained a relatively large fraction of tightly-bound Cr. Results from column experiments showed that effluent Cr concentrations were low and only a small percentage of the total Cr inventory was removed from the sediments. EMPA inspections indicated that Cr contamination was spread throughout sediment matrix and high-concentrated Cr spots were absent. XPS analyses confirmed that most surface Cr occurred as reduced Cr(III), which was spatially associated with Fe(III). Collectively, the results from macroscopic experiments and microprobe and spectroscopic measurements demonstrated that reduction of Cr(VI) have occurred in these sediments, limiting dramatically the mass flux from this contaminated source. The most likely mechanism of Cr(VI) reduction is the acid promoted dissolution of Fe(II)-bearing soil minerals and/or their surface coatings, release of Fe(II) in the aqueous phase, abiotic homogeneous and/or heterogeneous Cr(VI) reduction by aqueous, sorbed and/or structural Fe(II), and subsequently, formation of insoluble Cr(III) phases or [Cr(III) Fe(III)] solid solutions. The results from this study will improve our fundamental understanding of Cr(VI) behavior in natural heterogeneous subsurface media and may be used as a basis for developing or selecting potential remedial measures.

Upscaling sorption/desorption processes in reactive transport models to describe metal/radionuclide transport: a critical review

Models are a mainstay of the environmental sciences; they allow for both deeper understanding of process knowledge and, to a limited extent, predictive capabilities of current day inputs on the future. Mathematical codes have become increasingly complex with explicit inclusion of many processes that could not be accounted for using simpler solving techniques. And yet, for metal/radionuclide transport in subsurface systems, the inclusion of smaller scale processes in a numerical solver do not always lead to better descriptions of larger scale behavior. The reasons for this are many, but included in this review are the following: unknowable conceptual model errors, discrepancy in the scale of model discretization relative to the scale of the chemical/physical process, and omnipresent chemical and physical heterogeneities. Although it is commonly thought that larger, more complex systems require more complex models to gain insight and predictive capability, there is little to no experimental evidence supporting this thought. Indeed, the evidence points to the fact that larger systems can be well described with simple models. To test this thought and to appreciate the incorporation of scaling behaviors into reactive transport modeling, new experiments are needed that are intermediate in scale between the more traditional bench and field scales.

Uranium in framboidal pyrite from a naturally bioreduced alluvial sediment

Samples of a naturally bioreduced, U-contaminated alluvial sediment were characterized with various microscopic and spectroscopic techniques and wet chemical extraction methods. The objective was to investigate U association and interaction with minerals of the sediment. Bioreduced sediment comprises approximately 10% of an alluvial aquifer adjacent to the Colorado River, in Rifle, CO, that was the site of a former U milling operation. Past and ongoing research has demonstrated that bioreduced sediment is elevated in solid-associated U, total organic carbon, and acid-volatile sulfide, and depleted in bioavailable Fe(III) confirming that sulfate and Fe(III) reduction have occurred naturally in the sediment. SEM/EDS analyses demonstrated that framboidal pyrites (FeS(2)) of different sizes ( approximately 10-20 microm in diameter), and of various microcrystal morphology, degree of surface weathering, and internal porosity were abundant in the <53 microm fraction (silt + clay) of the sediment and absent in adjacent sediments that were not bioreduced. SEM-EMPA, XRF, EXAFS, and XANES measurements showed elevated U was present in framboidal pyrite as both U(VI) and U(IV). This result indicates that U may be sequestered in situ under conditions of microbially driven sulfate reduction and pyrite formation. Conversely, such pyrites in alluvial sediments provide a long-term source of U under conditions of slow oxidation, contributing to the persistence of U of some U plumes. These results may also help in developing remedial measures for U-contaminated aquifers.

Study of sorption-retarded U(VI) diffusion in Hanford silt/clay material

A diffusion cell method was applied to measure the effective pore diffusion coefficient (Dp) for U(VI) under strictly controlled chemical conditions in a silt/clay sediment from the U.S. Department of Energy Hanford site, WA. "Inward-flux" diffusion studies were conducted in which [U(VI)] in both aqueous and solid phases was measured as a function of distance in the diffusion cell under conditions of constant concentration at the cell boundaries. A sequential extraction method was developed to measure sorbed contaminant U(VI) in the solid phase containing extractable background U(VI). The effect of sorption kinetics on U(VI) interparticle diffusion was evaluated by comparing sorption-retarded diffusion models with sorption described either as equilibrium or intraparticle diffusion-limited processes. Both experimental and modeling results indicated that (1) a single pore diffusion coefficient can simulate the diffusion of total aqueous U(VI), and (2) the local equilibrium assumption (LEA) is appropriate for modeling sorption-retarded diffusion under the given experimental conditions. Dp of 1.6-1.7 x 10(-6) cm2/s was estimated in aqueous solution at pH 8.0 and saturated with respect to calcite, as relevant to some subsurface regions of the Hanford site.

Kinetics of uranium(VI) desorption from contaminated sediments: effect of geochemical conditions and model evaluation

Stirred-flow cell experiments were performed to investigate the kinetics of uranyl [U(VI)] desorption from a contaminated sedimentcollected from the Hanford 300 Area at the U.S. Department of Energy Hanford Site, Washington. Three influent solutions of variable pH, Ca and carbonate concentrations that affected U(VI) aqueous and surface speciation were used under dynamic flow conditions to evaluate the effect of geochemical conditions on the rate of U(Vl) desorption. The measured rate of U(VI) desorption varied with solution chemical composition that evolved as a result of thermodynamic and kinetic interactions between the solutions and sediment The solution chemical composition that led to a larger disequilibrium between adsorbed U(VI) and equilibrium adsorption state yielded a faster desorption rate. The experimental results were used to evaluate a multirate, surface complexation model (SCM) that has been proposed to describe U(VI) desorption kinetics in the Hanford sedimentthat contained complex adsorbed U(VI) in mass transfer limited domains (Lui et al. Water Resour. Res. 2008, 44, W08413). The model was modified and supplemented by including multirate, ion exchange reactions to describe the geochemical interactions between the solutions and sediment With the same setof model parameters, the modified model reasonably well described the evolution of major ions and the rates of U(VI) desorption under variable geochemical and flow conditions, implying that the multirate SCM is an effective way to describe U(VI) desorption kinetics in subsurface sediments.