Oxidative Dissolution of UO2 in a Simulated Groundwater Containing Synthetic Nanocrystalline Mackinawite
The long-term success of in situ reductive immobilization of uranium (U) depends on the stability of U(IV) precipitates (e.g., uraninite) under oxic conditions. Field and laboratory studies have implicated iron sulfide minerals as redox buffers or oxidant scavengers that may slow oxidation of reduced U(VI) solid phases by oxygen and Fe(III). Yet, the inhibition mechanism(s) and reaction rates of uraninite (UO2) oxidative dissolution by oxic species such as oxygen in FeS-bearing systems remain largely unresolved. To address this knowledge gap, abiotic batch experiments were conducted with synthetic UO2 in the presence and absence of synthetic mackinawite (FeS) under simulated groundwater conditions of pH = 7, PO2 = 0.02 atm, and PCO2 = 0.05 atm (equivalent to total dissolved carbonate of 0.01 M). The kinetic profiles of dissolved uranium indicate that FeS inhibited UO2 dissolution for 51 hr by effectively scavenging oxygen and keeping dissolved oxygen (DO) low. During this time period, oxidation of structural Fe(II) and S(-II) of FeS were found to control the DO levels, leading to the formation of iron oxyhydroxides and elemental sulfur, respectively, as verified by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Mössbauer and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). After FeS was depleted due to oxidation, DO levels increased and UO2 oxidative dissolution occurred at an initial rate of rm = 1.2 ± 0.4 ×10-8 mol•g-1•s-1, higher than rm = 5.4 ± 0.3 ×10-9 mol•g-1•s-1 in the control experiment where FeS was absent. Soluble U(VI) products were adsorbed by iron oxyhydroxides (i.e. nanogoethite and ferrihydrite) formed from FeS oxidation, which facilitated the detachment of U(VI) surface complexes and more rapid dissolution of UO2. XAS analysis confirmed the adsorption of U(VI) species, and also showed that U(VI) was not significantly incorporated into iron oxyhydroxide structure. This work reveals that both the oxygen scavenging by FeS and the adsorption of U(VI) to FeS oxidation products may be important in U reductive immobilization systems subject to redox cycling events.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Environmental Molecular Sciences Lab. (EMSL)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 1063696
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-83682; 34917; KP1704020
- Journal Information:
- Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 102:175-190, Journal Name: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 102:175-190
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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