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

Author

Listed:
  • 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuheng Wang & Manon Frutschi & Elena Suvorova & Vannapha Phrommavanh & Michael Descostes & Alfatih A. A. Osman & Gerhard Geipel & Rizlan Bernier-Latmani, 2013. "Mobile uranium(IV)-bearing colloids in a mining-impacted wetland," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:4:y:2013:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms3942
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3942
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