Biogenic non-crystalline U(IV) revealed as major component in uranium ore deposits

Amrita Bhattacharyya, Kate M. Campbell, Shelly D. Kelly, Yvonne Roebbert, Stefan Weyer, Rizlan Bernier-Latmani and Thomas Borch ()
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Amrita Bhattacharyya: Colorado State University
Kate M. Campbell: US Geological Survey
Shelly D. Kelly: EXAFS Analysis
Yvonne Roebbert: Institut für Mineralogie, Leibniz Universitat Hannover
Stefan Weyer: Institut für Mineralogie, Leibniz Universitat Hannover
Rizlan Bernier-Latmani: Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Thomas Borch: Colorado State University

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Historically, it is believed that crystalline uraninite, produced via the abiotic reduction of hexavalent uranium (U(VI)) is the dominant reduced U species formed in low-temperature uranium roll-front ore deposits. Here we show that non-crystalline U(IV) generated through biologically mediated U(VI) reduction is the predominant U(IV) species in an undisturbed U roll-front ore deposit in Wyoming, USA. Characterization of U species revealed that the majority (∼58-89%) of U is bound as U(IV) to C-containing organic functional groups or inorganic carbonate, while uraninite and U(VI) represent only minor components. The uranium deposit exhibited mostly 238U-enriched isotope signatures, consistent with largely biotic reduction of U(VI) to U(IV). This finding implies that biogenic processes are more important to uranium ore genesis than previously understood. The predominance of a relatively labile form of U(IV) also provides an opportunity for a more economical and environmentally benign mining process, as well as the design of more effective post-mining restoration strategies and human health-risk assessment.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15538

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