Speciation-Dependent Microbial Reduction of Uranium Within Iron-Coated Sands

Journal Article · Wed Jun 03 00:00:00 EDT 2009 · Environ. Sci. Tech. 41:7343,2007

OSTI ID:953954

Neiss, J; Stewart, B D; Nico, P S; Fendorf, S

Transport of uranium within surface and subsurface environments is predicated largely on its redox state. Uranyl reduction may transpire through either biotic (enzymatic) or abiotic pathways; in either case, reduction of U(VI) to U(IV) results in the formation of sparingly soluble UO{sub 2} precipitates. Biological reduction of U(VI), while demonstrated as prolific under both laboratory and field conditions, is influenced by competing electron acceptors (such as nitrate, manganese oxides, or iron oxides) and uranyl speciation. Formation of Ca-UO{sub 2}-CO{sub 3} ternary complexes, often the predominate uranyl species in carbonate-bearing soils and sediments, decreases the rate of dissimilatory U(VI) reduction. The combined influence of uranyl speciation within a mineralogical matrix comparable to natural environments and under hydrodynamic conditions, however, remains unresolved. We therefore examined uranyl reduction by Shewanella putrefaciens within packed mineral columns of ferrihydrite-coated quartz sand under conditions conducive or nonconducive to Ca-UO{sub 2}-CO{sub 3} species formation. The results are dramatic. In the absence of Ca, where uranyl carbonato complexes dominate, U(VI) reduction transpires and consumes all of the U(VI) within the influent solution (0.166 mM) over the first 2.5 cm of the flow field for the entirety of the 54 d experiment. Over 2 g of U is deposited during this reaction period, and despite ferrihydrite being a competitive electron acceptor, uranium reduction appears unabated for the duration of our experiments. By contrast, in columns with 4 mM Ca in the influent solution (0.166 mM uranyl), reduction (enzymatic or surface-bound Fe(ll) mediated) appears absent and breakthrough occurs within 18 d (at a flow rate of 3 pore volumes per day). Uranyl speciation, and in particular the formation of ternary Ca-UO2-CO3 complexes, has a profound impact on U(VI) reduction and thus transport within anaerobic systems.

• Research Organization: SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76SF00515
• OSTI ID: 953954
• Report Number(s): SLAC-REPRINT-2009-438; ESTHAG; TRN: US201004%%691
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Tech. 41:7343,2007, Vol. 41, Issue 21; ISSN 0013-936X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BACTERIA
BINDING ENERGY
CHEMICAL STATE
COMPLEXES
CONTAMINATION
ELECTRONS
FLOW RATE
HYDRODYNAMICS
IRON OXIDES
MANGANESE OXIDES
BIODEGRADATION
MINERALS
QUARTZ
RADIOISOTOPES
REDUCTION
SAND
SEDIMENTS
SOILS
SOLUTIONS
SURFACES
TRANSPORT
URANIUM
URANYL COMPLEXES
VALENCE
Other
OTHER
ENV