Mobile uranium(IV)-bearing colloids in a mining-impacted wetland

Yuheng Wang, Manon Frutschi, Elena Suvorova, Vannapha Phrommavanh, Michael Descostes, Alfatih A. A. Osman, Gerhard Geipel and Rizlan Bernier-Latmani ()
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Yuheng Wang: Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Environmental Microbiology Laboratory (EML), EPFL-ENAC-IIE-EML
Manon Frutschi: Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Environmental Microbiology Laboratory (EML), EPFL-ENAC-IIE-EML
Elena Suvorova: Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Environmental Microbiology Laboratory (EML), EPFL-ENAC-IIE-EML
Vannapha Phrommavanh: AREVA—Business Group Mines
Michael Descostes: AREVA—Business Group Mines
Alfatih A. A. Osman: Helmholtz Center Dresden Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Resource Ecology
Gerhard Geipel: Helmholtz Center Dresden Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Resource Ecology
Rizlan Bernier-Latmani: Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Environmental Microbiology Laboratory (EML), EPFL-ENAC-IIE-EML

Nature Communications, 2013, vol. 4, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Tetravalent uranium is commonly assumed to form insoluble species, resulting in the immobilization of uranium under reducing conditions. Here we present the first report of mobile U(IV)-bearing colloids in the environment, bringing into question this common assumption. We investigate the mobility of uranium in a mining-impacted wetland in France harbouring uranium concentrations of up to 14,000 p.p.m. As an apparent release of uranium into the stream passing through the wetland was observable, we examine soil and porewater composition as a function of depth to assess the geochemical conditions leading to this release. The analyses show the presence of U(IV) in soil as a non-crystalline species bound to amorphous Al-P-Fe-Si aggregates, and in porewater, as a distinct species associated with Fe and organic matter colloids. These results demonstrate the lability of U(IV) in these soils and its association with mobile porewater colloids that are ultimately released into surface water.

Date: 2013
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3942

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