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Distribution and Relationship of Uranium and Radium Along an Allochthonously Dominated Wetland Gradient

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Abstract

Uranium mining may pose a large threat for freshwater ecosystems, caused by elevated concentrations of metals/radionuclides in drainage water. Important pollutants of such waters are uranium (U) and radium (Ra), because of their impact due to both radio- as well as chemo-toxicity. Despite the comprehensive knowledge about specific element speciation as well as fixation processes, less is known about the retention of U and Ra at a higher level of complexity (within allochthonous ecosystems as predominant for low order streams). Consequently, we investigated the distribution and retention potential of allochthonous ecosystems regarding U and Ra as well as changing U/Ra ratios. We found U predominantly transported over long distances, whereas Ra mainly precipitates immediately after reaching the surface, i.e. in the spring area. Although high U accumulation in organic rich sediments is found, still high transport rates are detected. Low overall fixation of U within the allochthonously dominated wetland results in an U transport over long distances. Consequently, large areas are affected by U mining activities and its post-mining impact, with U being more relevant compared to Ra.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Mrs. K. Klinzmann, Ms. Dominique Hille and Mr. Tom Gründer (all Institute of General Ecology, TU Dresden).

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Author notes

  1. Jörg Schaller

    Present address: Environmental Geochemistry, University Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, 95447, Bayreuth, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of General Ecology and Environmental Protection, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany

    Mohammad Nassour, Arndt Weiske, Jörg Schaller, Carsten Brackhage & E. Gert Dudel

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  1. Mohammad Nassour
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  2. Arndt Weiske
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  3. Jörg Schaller
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  5. E. Gert Dudel
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Correspondence to Jörg Schaller.

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Nassour, M., Weiske, A., Schaller, J. et al. Distribution and Relationship of Uranium and Radium Along an Allochthonously Dominated Wetland Gradient. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 68, 317–322 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-014-0117-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-014-0117-4

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