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Biotransformation of Neptunium in Model Groundwaters

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Abstract—The kinetics of Np(VI and V) reduction was studied in model underground water in the presence of bacteria, isolated from from deep-injection disposal of liquid radioactive wastes of Siberian Chemical Plant. Obtained data indicate a chemical instability of Np(VI) in the studied system. The reduction of neptunium (V) depended on its initial concentration and the presence of microorganisms. In microbiome samples, the reduction rate has significantly increased and neptunium-bearing particles more than 200 nm in size were formed. At neptunium concentrations less than 10–7 М, the reduction rate constant did not depend on the radionuclide content (half-reaction period of 36–40 days). An increase of Np concentration to 10–6 М led to a two-fold decrease of the reduction rate constant.

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Funding

This study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (project no. 17-17-01212).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991, Moscow, Russia

    A. P. Novikov, E. A. Lavrinovich, E. V. Kuzovkina, A. M. Emel’yanov & T. A. Goryachenkova

  2. Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071, Moscow, Russia

    A. V. Safonov

  3. Vinogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, pr. 60-Letiya Oktyabrya 7, build. 2, 117312, Moscow, Russia

    T. L. Babich

  4. Institute of Safe Development of Atomic Energetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Bol’shaya Tul’skaya 52, 115191, Moscow, Russia

    K. A. Boldyrev & D. V. Kryuchkov

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  1. A. P. Novikov
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  4. K. A. Boldyrev
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  5. D. V. Kryuchkov
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  7. E. V. Kuzovkina
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  8. A. M. Emel’yanov
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Correspondence to A. P. Novikov, A. V. Safonov or T. L. Babich.

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Translated by M. Bogina

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Novikov, A.P., Safonov, A.V., Babich, T.L. et al. Biotransformation of Neptunium in Model Groundwaters. Geochem. Int. 58, 182–188 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0016702920020081

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