No Measurable Changes in 238U/235U due to Desorption–Adsorption of U(VI) from Groundwater at the Rifle, Colorado, Integrated Field Research Challenge Site

Abstract

Groundwater samples were collected from the Integrated Field Research Challenge field site in Rifle, Colorado, over the course of a bicarbonate-induced U desorption-adsorption experiment. Uranium concentrations and high precision U isotopic compositions ((238)U/(235)U) of these groundwater samples were determined and used to assess the impact of bicarbonate-induced U(VI) desorption from contaminated sediments on the (238)U/(235)U of groundwater. The (238)U/(235)U of groundwater was not significantly impacted by bicarbonate-induced desorption of U(VI) from mineral surfaces or by adsorption of advecting U(VI) from upgradient locations onto those surfaces after the treatment. Assuming this absence of a significant shift in U isotopic composition associated with desorption-adsorption applies to other systems, reduction of U(VI) to U(IV) is expected to be the dominant source of U isotopic fractionation associated with removal of U(VI) from pore water as a result of natural and stimulated reductive pathways. Thus, changes in the (238)U/(235)U composition of uranium-bearing fluids should be useful in quantifying the extent of reduction.