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Title: Biodegradation of PuEDTA and Impacts on Pu Mobility

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/893869· OSTI ID:893869

Ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) and nitrilotriacetate (NTA) are synthetic chelating agents, which can form strong water-soluble complexes with radionuclides and metals and has been used to decontaminate and process nuclear materials. Synthetic chelating agents were co-disposed with radionuclides (e.g., 60Co, Pu) and heavy metals enhancing their transport in the subsurface. An understanding of EDTA biodegradation is essential to help mitigate enhanced radionuclide transport by EDTA. The objective of this research is to develop fundamental data on factors that govern the biodegradation of radionuclide-EDTA. These factors include the dominant EDTA aqueous species, the biodegradation of various metal-EDTA complexes, the uptake of various metal-EDTA complexes into the cell, the distribution and mobility of the radionuclide during and after EDTA biodegradation, and the enzymology and genetics of EDTA biodegradation.

Research Organization:
Washington State University, Pullman, WA; Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE - Office of Environmental Management (EM)
OSTI ID:
893869
Report Number(s):
NABIR-1010283-2001; R&D Project: NABIR 1010283; TRN: US0606168
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English