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Impact of Alkaline Earth Metals on Aqueous Speciation of Uranium(VI) and Sorption on Quartz

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Abstract

The effect of Mg-, Ca-, and Sr–Uranyl-Carbonato complexes with respect to sorption on quartz was studied by means of batch experiments with U(VI) concentration of 0.126 × 10−6 M in the presence and absence of Mg, Ca, and Sr (each 1 mM) at pH from 6.5 to 9. In the absence of alkaline earth elements, 90% of the U(VI) sorbed on the quartz surface at all pH. In the presence of Mg, Ca, and Sr, the sorption of U(VI) on quartz decreased to 50, 10, and 30%, respectively. Sorption kinetics of U(VI) on quartz is faster in the absence of alkaline earth elements and reached equilibrium after 12 h, whereas in the presence of Mg, Ca and Sr, the kinetics of U(VI) sorption on quartz is pH dependent and attained equilibrium after 24 h. Aqueous speciation calculations for alkaline earth uranyl carbonates were carried out by using PHREEQC with the Nuclear Energy Agency thermodynamic database (NEA_2007) by adding constants for MUO2(CO3) 2−3 and M2UO2(CO3) 03 (M = Ca, Mg, Sr). This study reveals that alkaline earth elements can have a significant effect on the aqueous speciation of U(VI) under neutral to alkaline pH conditions and subsequently sorption behavior and mobility of U(VI) in aqueous environments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hydrogeology, Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, Gustav-Zeuner Str.12, 09599, Freiberg, Germany

    Sreejesh Nair & Broder J. Merkel

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  1. Sreejesh Nair
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  2. Broder J. Merkel
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Correspondence to Sreejesh Nair.

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Nair, S., Merkel, B.J. Impact of Alkaline Earth Metals on Aqueous Speciation of Uranium(VI) and Sorption on Quartz. Aquat Geochem 17, 209–219 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10498-011-9120-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10498-011-9120-9

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