Microbial Transformations of Actinides and Other Radionuclides

Conference · Wed Jan 07 04:00:00 EST 2009

OSTI ID:951299

Francis, A J; Dodge, C J

Microorganisms can affect the stability and mobility of the actinides and other radionuclides released from nuclear fuel cycle and from nuclear fuel reprocessing plants. Under appropriate conditions, microorganisms can alter the chemical speciation, solubility and sorption properties and thus could increase or decrease the concentrations of radionuclides in solution in the environment and the bioavailability. Dissolution or immobilization of radionuclides is brought about by direct enzymatic action or indirect non-enzymatic action of microorganisms. Although the physical, chemical, and geochemical processes affecting dissolution, precipitation, and mobilization of radionuclides have been extensively investigated, we have only limited information on the effects of microbial processes and biochemical mechanisms which affect the stability and mobility of radionuclides. The mechanisms of microbial transformations of the major and minor actinides U, Pu, Cm, Am, Np, the fission products and other radionuclides such as Ra, Tc, I, Cs, Sr, under aerobic and anaerobic conditions in the presence of electron donors and acceptors are reviewed.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Laboratory
• Sponsoring Organization: Doe - Office Of Science
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-98CH10886
• OSTI ID: 951299
• Report Number(s): BNL--82098-2009-CP; KP1504010
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
ACTINIDES
ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS
BINDING ENERGY
DISSOLUTION
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
ELECTRONS
FISSION PRODUCTS
MICROORGANISMS
NUCLEAR FUELS
PRECIPITATION
RADIOCHEMISTRY
RADIOISOTOPES
REPROCESSING
SOLUBILITY
SORPTION
STABILITY
TRANSFORMATIONS
VALENCE