A review of the environmental behavior of uranium derived from depleted uranium alloy penetrators
The use of depleted uranium (DU) penetrators as armor-piercing projectiles in the field results in the release of uranium into the environment. Elevated levels of uranium in the environment are of concern because of radioactivity and chemical toxicity. In addition to the direct contamination of the soil with uranium, the penetrators will also chemically react with rainwater and surface water. Uranium may be oxidized and leached into surface water or groundwater and may subsequently be transported. In this report, we review some of the factors affecting the oxidation of the DU metal and the factors influencing the leaching and mobility of uranium through surface water and groundwater pathways, and the uptake of uranium by plants growing in contaminated soils. 29 refs., 10 figs., 3 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOD
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 5105913
- Report Number(s):
- PNL-7213; ON: DE90007145
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
LEACHING
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
PENETRATORS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
SOILS
CONTAMINATION
URANIUM
OXIDATION
CORROSION
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY
FIELD TESTS
GROUND WATER
LIGANDS
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
SURFACE WATERS
TOXICITY
ACTINIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DISSOLUTION
ELEMENTS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MATERIALS
METALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
TESTING
WASTES
WATER
053000* - Nuclear Fuels- Environmental Aspects
540230 - Environment
Terrestrial- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
540330 - Environment
Aquatic- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)