Stability of Uranium Incorporated into Fe (Hydr)oxides under Fluctuating Redox Conditions

Abstract

Reaction pathways resulting in uranium-bearing solids that are stable (i.e., having limited solubility) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions will limit dissolved concentrations and migration of this toxin. Here, we examine the sorption mechanism and propensity for release of uranium reacted with Fe (hydr)oxides under cyclic oxidizing and reducing conditions. Upon reaction of ferrihydrite with Fe(II) under conditions where aqueous Ca-UO2-CO3 species predominate (3 mM Ca and 3.8 mM total CO3), dissolved uranium concentrations decrease from 0.16 mM to below detection limit (BDL) after 5-15 d, depending on the Fe(II) concentration. In systems undergoing 3 successive redox cycles (14 d of reduction, followed by 5 d of oxidation) and a pulsed decrease to 0.15 mM total CO3, dissolved uranium concentrations varied depending on the Fe(II) concentration during the initial and subsequent reduction phases. U concentrations resulting during the oxic "rebound" varied inversely with the Fe(II) concentration during the reduction cycle. Uranium removed from solution remains in the oxidized form and is found adsorbed onto and incorporated into the structure of newly formed goethite and magnetite. Our results reveal that the fate of uranium is dependent on anaerobic/ aerobic conditions, aqueous uranium speciation, and the fate of iron.