Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaoyu Yin, Peng Wu, Shilong Shi, Yufan Zhao, Honghui Li, Feize Li, Jiali Liao, Ning Liu, Yuanyou Yang, Tu Lan
Summary: This study systematically investigated the sorption behavior of U(VI) on Tamusu clay sampled from a selected HLW disposal site in Inner Mongolia, China. The results showed that the sorption was pH-dependent, heterogeneous, spontaneous, and endothermic, and could be described by Freundlich isothermal and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The presence of humic acid or fulvic acid significantly inhibited U(VI) sorption due to electrostatic repulsion and the aggregation of HA/FA wrapping U(VI) species in solution. The FTIR and XPS spectra confirmed the involvement of HCO3 groups on clay surfaces and -OH groups in HA/FA in U(VI) sorption. These findings contribute to the understanding of U(VI) migration in geological media.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shengsheng Li, Ruixue Ma, Xiaohui Zhu, Chang Liu, Liangzhong Li, Ziling Yu, Xichao Chen, Zongrui Li, Yan Yang
Summary: The study showed that microplastics have the ability to sorb TBBPA, with different types of microplastics exhibiting different sorption capacities. Environmental factors such as ionic strength and humic acid also have an impact on the sorption of TBBPA. Overall, hydrophobic partition and electrostatic interactions are the key driving forces for the adsorption of TBBPA onto microplastics.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jianhong Ma, Min Zhang, Hui Zhang, Yongdong Wang, Feng Li, Nan Hu, Zhongran Dai, Yang Ding, Dexin Ding
Summary: In this study, hydrogel material HLSs/PAA gel was synthesized for the first time using humic-like substances (HLSs) extracted from spent coffee grounds (SCGs) and poly acrylic acid (PAA). The gel exhibited excellent U(VI) removal efficiency, stability, and anti-interference performance in an acidic environment.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yangyang Zhang, Jeremy B Fein, Qiang Yu, Dongsheng Liu, Yuzhao Feng, Bo Zu, Chunli Zheng
Summary: The study investigated the adsorption characteristics of lignite humic acid-coated magnetite nanoparticles for U(VI), demonstrating that the adsorption of U(VI) is influenced by dissolved inorganic carbon and ionic strength under certain conditions. A model for surface complexation was established to predict the behavior of U(VI) in complex systems with a wide range of pH, ionic strength, DIC, and solute: sorbent conditions.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Mohamed Ahmed Mahmoud
Summary: In this study, a polyphenol compound was used to chemically modify silica nanoparticles as a sorbent nanocomposite for U (VI) removal. The Pyrogallol silica nanocomposite (PSCN) showed a maximum sorption capacity of 58.45 mg/g under optimal conditions. The sorption process was found to be exothermic and in good agreement with pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm adsorption model.
ALEXANDRIA ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rongyue Geng, Longmiao Yuan, Leiping Shi, Shirong Qiang, Yuqiang Li, Jianjun Liang, Ping Li, Guodong Zheng, Qiaohui Fan
Summary: The regulation effect of Aspergillus niger on the sorption behavior of U(VI) on kaolinite and illite was studied, showing that only inner-sphere complexes were present on the biocomposites. Microspectroscopy tests revealed coordination of U(VI) with phosphate, amide, and carboxyl groups on the biocomposites, while XPS found partial reduction of U(VI) to U(IV) in the presence of A. niger.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Minhua Su, Hong Li, Zequan Liu, Hairong Peng, Shuai Huang, Ying Zhou, Changzhong Liao, Gang Song, Diyun Chen
Summary: This study investigated the interaction between U (VI) ions and maghemite particles, and found that maghemite showed excellent selectivity for U (VI) removal, with organic matter promoting the interfacial interaction under acidic conditions.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Xiaoyu Yin, Peng Wu, Yufan Zhao, Shilong Shi, Jun Liu, Feize Li, Jiali Liao, Ning Liu, Yuanyou Yang, Tu Lan
Summary: The U(VI) sorption behavior on dolomite in a dilute carbonate solution was investigated. The sorption process was influenced by time, temperature, initial U(VI) concentration, ionic strength, and pH. HA/FA had promoting effects on U(VI) sorption at low pH, but inhibiting effects at high pH. XPS spectra suggested that -OH groups on dolomite surface and in HA/FA were involved in U(VI) sorption.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Philipp Krejci, Thomas Gimmi, Luc Robert Van Loon
Summary: Cation diffusion coefficients in clayey materials may be higher than water tracers, especially for cations strongly adsorbed on clay surfaces. The study highlights the challenges in applying Fick's law to cation diffusion in clays and emphasizes the need for a consistent description for predicting experiments under different conditions.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zequan Liu, Tao Ou, Minhua Su, Hairong Peng, Gang Song, Lingjun Kong, Diyun Chen
Summary: The study emphasizes the critical role of solution pH in the retention of U(VI) by alpha-/gamma-alumina, with gamma-Al2O3 showing higher removal efficiency. Phosphate ions significantly promote U(VI) adsorption, while humic acid has different effects on U(VI) removal by alumina under different conditions.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qi Zhao, Takeshi Saito, Kazuya Miyakawa, Hiroshi Sasamoto, Taishi Kobayashi, Takayuki Sasaki
Summary: This study investigated the influence of humic acid (HA) and its radiological degradation on the sorption of Cs+ and Eu3+ by sedimentary rock. It was found that HA had a larger impact on the sorption of Eu3+ compared to Cs+.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xinpeng Shi, Qiang Tian, Mark Julian Henderson, Na Li, Jianqiao Zhang, Xuezhi Dai, Guy Royal, Minhao Yan, Laszlo Almasy
Summary: A new type of uranium pseudo-colloid was prepared by mixing PS-b-PAA micelle dispersions with UC to simulate the structure and transport of colloidal fulvic acids with uranium. The modelled data indicated the complexation of UC with PAA segments, and the hydrodynamic size of the micelles decreased with increasing UC concentration. Column experiments showed that micelle-borne uranium could easily diffuse through quartz sand.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-NANO
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Huimin Zhang, Steve Larson, John Ballard, Jing Nie, Qiqi Zhang, Joseph A. Kazery, Shaloam Dasari, Nihar Pradhan, Qilin Dai, Olanrewaju M. Olafuyi, Xianchun Zhu, Youhua Ma, Fengxiang X. Han
Summary: This study investigated the modification of clay minerals by exopolysaccharides (EPS) and its impact on uranium adsorption. The results showed that EPS could enhance the adsorption capacity of montmorillonite and kaolinite for U(VI). The adsorption capacity was affected by pH, sulfate, and phosphate.
JOURNAL OF SOILS AND SEDIMENTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yangyang Zhang, Jeremy B. Fein, Yilian Li, Qiang Yu, Bo Zu, Chunli Zheng
Summary: The study demonstrated that LHA-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles exhibit pH-dependent U(VI) adsorption and follow the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, with good recoverability for adsorption. The adsorption mechanism involves both Fe surface sites and oxygen-containing groups, with binding onto carboxyl sites dominating at the highest extents of LHA coating.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Nabil Shaikh, Jiajie Qian, Sewoon Kim, Hoa Phan, Juan S. Lezama-Pacheco, Abdul-Mehdi S. Ali, David M. Cwiertny, Tori Z. Forbes, Amanda J. Haes, Jose M. Cerrato
Summary: Phosphonate functionalized electrospun nanofibers have been found to effectively uptake U(VI), especially when functionalized with longer-chain phosphonate surfactants. The interaction between U(VI) and environmentally relevant ions was investigated, and it was observed that the presence of bicarbonate ions may increase the solubility of uranium. The study also revealed that U is bound to phosphonate groups as a monodentate inner sphere surface complex. This study provides valuable insights for the development of technologies for the detection and treatment of U in water.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Evelyn Krawczyk-Baersch, Andreas C. Scheinost, Andre Rossberg, Katharina Mueller, Frank Bok, Lotta Hallbeck, Jana Lehrich, Katja Schmeide
Summary: The microaerophilic iron(II) oxidizer Gallionella ferruginea forms stalks and has a high sorption capacity towards radionuclides, with the ability to form inner-sphere complexes. The rapid iron precipitation in G. ferruginea-dominated systems makes more ferrihydrite available for immobilization processes of heavy metals and radionuclides in contaminated environments.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Katja Schmeide, Andre Rossberg, Frank Bok, Salim Shams Aldin Azzam, Stephan Weiss, Andreas C. Scheinost
Summary: The interaction between nuclear waste container materials in deep geological repositories and the actinide fission product technetium was studied, revealing a high retention capacity of chukanovite towards Tc-VII, primarily controlled by pH levels.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fatemeh Rajabi, Jenny Jessat, Jawaharlal Nehru Garimella, Frank Bok, Robin Steudtner, Thorsten Stumpf, Susanne Sachs
Summary: This study investigated the physiological and cellular responses of tobacco BY-2 cells to uranium as an abiotic stressor, revealing the interference of uranium with essential element homeostasis and its interaction with Fe deficiency in cultured cells. The results showed time- and concentration-dependent kinetics of uranium in BY-2 cells, as well as changes in uranium speciation in the culture media under different iron conditions. The toxicity of uranium in BY-2 cells was found to be highly dependent on the existence of other micro-macro elements, suggesting negative synergistic effects of uranium and iron on cell viability.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jenny Jessat, Susanne Sachs, Henry Moll, Warren John, Robin Steudtner, Rene Huebner, Frank Bok, Thorsten Stumpf
Summary: This study investigated the interaction of U(VI) and Eu(III) with Brassica napus suspension plant cells. Results showed that over 75% of U(VI) and Eu(III) were immobilized by the cells, with a multistage bioassociation process observed for cells exposed to 200μM U(VI). A new U species was identified, suggesting interaction with plant metabolites.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Jerome Kretzschmar, Satoru Tsushima, Christian Lucks, Elisabeth Jaeckel, Ronny Meyer, Robin Steudtner, Katharina Mueller, Andre Rossberg, Katja Schmeide, Vinzenz Brendler
Summary: This research investigates the interactions between the uranyl(VI) ion and citric acid using multiple spectroscopic techniques and computational methods, revealing the existence of two diastereomers of a dimeric complex and their interconversion in acidic solution. Furthermore, ternary dimeric and trimeric complexes were identified at higher pH values. The study also challenges previous misconceptions in the aqueous U(VI)-citric acid solution chemistry and provides a basis for future studies on U(VI) complexation.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Bianca Schacherl, Claudia Joseph, Polina Lavrova, Aaron Beck, Cedric Reitz, Tim Pruessmann, David Fellhauer, Jun-Yeop Lee, Kathy Dardenne, Jorg Rothe, Horst Geckeis, Tonya Vitova
Summary: The recently developed high-energy resolution X-ray absorption near-edge structure (HR-XANES) technique has proven to be a powerful tool for studying the oxidation states of actinide elements. In this study, Np M-5-edge HR-XANES was applied for the first time to investigate the sorption of Np on illite. By optimizing the experimental conditions and employing a cryogenic configuration, the researchers were able to obtain Np M-5-edge HR-XANES spectra of a sample with very low Np loadings, which opens up new possibilities for examining redox reactions and solid-liquid interface reactions of actinide ions.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. Stockmann, K. Fritsch, F. Bok, M. Marques Fernandes, B. Baeyens, R. Steudtner, K. Muller, C. Nebelung, V Brendler, T. Stumpf, K. Schmeide
Summary: This study investigated the influence of ionic strength on U(VI) sorption onto montmorillonite under different conditions and found significant variations in sorption rates. A comprehensive analysis was conducted using batch sorption experiments and spectroscopic methods, resulting in the establishment of an accurate sorption model that can predict U(VI) sorption processes in complex clay rich natural environments.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Warren A. John, Benita Luckel, Nicole Matschiavelli, Rene Huebner, Susanne Matschi, Wolfgang Hoehenwarter, Susanne Sachs
Summary: Endocytosis of metals in plants, particularly uranium, is an important process for metal uptake and sequestration. This study investigated the endocytic uptake of uranium in tobacco BY-2 cells, revealing that endocytosis plays a significant role in uranium uptake and targeting to vacuoles. The findings indicate that endocytosis provides a safer route for uranium sequestration in plants.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jerome Kretzschmar, Anne Wollenberg, Satoru Tsushima, Katja Schmeide, Margret Acker
Summary: This study rigorously evaluated the protonation of PBTC in solution using NMR spectroscopy. The pKa values of PBTC were determined, providing important data support for further understanding of its structure and thermodynamic properties.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Thimo Philipp, Nina Huittinen, Salim Shams Aldin Azzam, Robin Stohr, Janina Stietz, Tobias Reich, Katja Schmeide
Summary: This study comprehensively evaluates the effect of Ca2+ on the retention of U(VI) and Np(VI) on alumosilicate minerals using batch sorption experiments and time-resolved laser-induced luminescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). The results confirm that alkaline earth elements enable strong retention of hexavalent actinides on clay minerals under hyperalkaline repository conditions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ljubica Zupunski, Renee Street, Evgenia Ostroumova, Frank Winde, Susanne Sachs, Gerhard Geipel, Vusumuzi Nkosi, Liacine Bouaoun, Tanya Haman, Joachim Schuz, Angela Mathee
Summary: This study investigated the uranium concentration in hair samples of residents in the Northeast-Soweto area of Johannesburg, South Africa, and found no significant association between the distance from the mine tailings and uranium concentration. However, overall concentrations were higher than in general population samples from other parts of the world. Children had significantly higher uranium concentrations compared to adults. These findings are important for improving mining waste policies and implementing health monitoring and protective measures in at-risk populations.
JOURNAL OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Jana Oertel, Susanne Sachs, Katrin Flemming, Muhammad Hassan Obeid, Karim Fahmy
Summary: The study of chemical compound toxicity using isothermal microcalorimetry (IMC) is a rapidly growing field that utilizes the metabolic heat from living microorganisms. By using IMC, we have discovered the effect of low dose rates of radioactive beta(-)-decay on bacterial metabolism. The sensitivity of IMC allows for the distinction between the metabolic interferences caused by radioactivity and chemical toxicity, providing valuable insights into contaminated environmental sites.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Max Klotzsche, Manja Vogel, Susanne Sachs, Johannes Raff, Thorsten Stumpf, Bjoern Drobot, Robin Steudtner
Summary: The extensive use of lanthanides in science, industry, and high-technology products results in their release into the environment. This study investigated the interactions between lanthanides and tobacco cells and found that the cells detoxify lanthanides through the formation of oxalate biominerals.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Max Klotzsche, Manja Vogel, Susanne Sachs, Johannes Raff, Thorsten Stumpf, Bjorn Drobot, Robin Steudtner
Summary: The extensive use of lanthanides in science, industry and high-technology products leads to an input of rare earth elements into the environment. This study used Eu(III) as a luminescent probe to investigate the molecular interactions and spatial distribution of lanthanides in tobacco cells. The results show that tobacco cells can detoxify lanthanides by forming oxalate biominerals.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Daniel Glueckman, Francesca Quinto, Karin Hain, Claudia Joseph, Vanessa Montoya, Peter Steier, Horst Geckeis
Summary: The geochemistry of actinides under reducing conditions in a deep geological nuclear waste repository is characterized by low solubility and strong sorption to mineral surfaces. This study used accelerator mass spectrometry as an analytical method to quantify actinide migration at ultra-trace levels and to determine diffusion profiles of multiple actinides simultaneously. The results showed a decrease in count rates for high-matrix clay rock samples compared to low-matrix standard solutions, indicating a reduction in the sputter rate of actinide nuclides in the AMS ion source.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL ATOMIC SPECTROMETRY
(2022)
