The role of sediment properties and solution pH in the adsorption of uranium(VI) to freshwater sediments

Crawford, Sarah E.; Lofts, Stephen ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3627-851X; Liber, Karsten. 2017 The role of sediment properties and solution pH in the adsorption of uranium(VI) to freshwater sediments. Environmental Pollution, 220 (B). 873-881. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2016.10.071

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2016.10.071

Abstract/Summary

Uranium (U) can enter aquatic environments from natural and anthropogenic processes, accumulating in sediments to concentrations that could, if bioavailable, adversely affect benthic organisms. To better predict the sorption and mobility of U in aquatic ecosystems, we investigated the sediment-solution partition coefficients (Kd) of U for nine uncontaminated freshwater sediments with a wide range of physicochemical characteristics over an environmentally relevant pH range. Test solutions were reconstituted to mimic water quality conditions and U(VI) concentrations (0.023–2.3 mg U/L) found downstream of Canadian U mines. Adsorption of U(VI) to each sediment was greatest at pH 6 and 7, and significantly reduced at pH 8. There were significant differences in pH-dependent sorption among sediments with different physicochemical properties, with sorption increasing up until thresholds of 12% total organic carbon, 37% fine fraction (≤50 μm), and 29 g/kg of iron content. The Kd values for U(VI) were predicted using the Windermere Humic Aqueous Model (WHAM) using total U(VI) concentrations, and water and sediment physicochemical parameters. Predicted Kd-U values were generally within a factor of three of the observed values. These results improve the understanding and assessment of U sorption to field sediment, and quantify the relationship with sediment properties that may influence the bioavailability and ecological risk of U-contaminated sediments.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2016.10.071
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Shore
ISSN:	0269-7491
Additional Keywords:	uranium, sorption, distribution or partition coefficients, sediment, Windermere humic aqueous model, WHAM, speciation
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment Chemistry
Date made live:	16 Nov 2016 14:50 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/515115

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2016.10.071

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Shore

ISSN:

0269-7491

Additional Keywords:

uranium, sorption, distribution or partition coefficients, sediment, Windermere humic aqueous model, WHAM, speciation

NORA Subject Terms:

Ecology and Environment
Chemistry