Uranium Values Research Articles

Multibiomarker toxicity characterization of uranium mine drainages to the fish Carassius auratus.

The release of acidic effluents, naturally enriched in metals and radionuclides, is the main legacy of uranium mines. Generally, metals dissolved by these acidic effluents can cause significant alterations in exposed organisms, with distinct toxicological outcomes. In this study, 72 individuals of the freshwater fish species Carassius auratus were exposed in situ for different periods (8, 16, 24, and 48h) to water from a pond (treatment pond (TP)) with a chemically treated effluent and a reference pond (PRP), in the vicinity of the Cunha Baixa uranium mine (Portugal). Comparing the water of the two ponds, the PRP pond was characterized by higher pH and oxygen values and lower conductivity and hardness values. Regarding total metal concentrations, among others, magnesium (56,000μg/L), sodium (17,400μg/L), zinc (86μg/L), manganese (6340μg/L), and uranium (1380μg/L) concentrations in the TP pond were above the values obtained for the PRP pond. The values of manganese and uranium exceeded the values of quality criteria established for surface waters for cyprinids and for irrigation purposes. After exposure to pond water, significant differences were recorded for several biomarkers: (i) between ponds for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) with higher activities for animals from the PRP and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities that were particularly enhanced in animals from the TP pond; (ii) between ponds and exposure periods for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, since organisms from PRP pond presented always higher values than those from the TP pond, and among these, organisms exposed for the longer period presented a further depression in LDH activity; and (iii) between exposure periods for erythrocyte micronucleus. GSTs and LDH were the most sensitive biomarkers within the timeframe of the in situ assay performed. Despite the alleged efficacy of the chemical treatment (evidenced by a significantly lower pH), some metals persisted in the treated effluent (TP pond), potentially contributing to the induction of oxidative stress or increased conjugation metabolic activity in fish.

Influence of microwaves on the leaching kinetics of uraninite from a low grade ore in dilute sulfuric acid

This paper describes a study on microwave assisted leaching of uranium from a low-grade ore of Indian origin. The host rock for uranium mineralization is chlorite-biotite-muscovite-quartzo-feldspathic schist. The dominant presence of siliceous minerals determined leaching of uranium values in sulfuric acid medium under oxidizing conditions. Process parametric studies like the effect of sulfuric acid concentration (0.12–0.50M), redox potential (400–500mV), particle size (600–300μm) and temperature (35°–95°C) indicated that microwave assisted leaching is more efficient in terms of overall uranium dissolution, kinetics and provide relatively less impurities (Si, Al, Mg and Fe) in the leach liquor compared to conventional conductive leaching. The kinetics of leaching followed shrinking core model with product layer diffusion as controlling mechanism.

Investigation of a gas turbine-modular helium reactor using reactor grade plutonium with 232Th and 238U

Utilization of natural uranium (nat-U) and thorium as fertile fuels has been investigated by in a Gas Turbine – Modular Helium Reactor (GTMHR) using reactor grade plutonium as driver fuel. A neutronic analysis for the full core reactor was performed by using MCNP5 with ENDF/B-VI cross-section library. Different mixture ratios were tested in order to find the appropriate mixture ratio of fertile and fissile fuel particles that gives a comparable keff value of the reference uranium fuel. Time dependent calculations were performed by using MONTEBURN2.0 with ORIGEN2.2 for each selected mixture. Different parameters (operation time, burnup value, fissile isotope change, etc.) were subject of performance comparison. The operation time and burnup values were close to each other with nat-U and thorium, namely 3205 days and 176 GWd/MTU for the former and 3175 days 181 GWd/MTU for the latter fertile fuel. In addition, the fissile isotope amount changed from initially 6940.1 kg–4579.2 kg at the end of its operation time for nat-U. These values were obtained for thorium as 6603.3 kg–4250.2 kg, respectively.

Analysis of U and Th in soils and sediments B—Why do we sometimes get the WRONG RESULT?

In 1978, the National Bureau of Standards began a program to develop environmental-level natural matrix radionuclide Standard Reference Materials for the evaluation of analytical methods. A customer reported a −15 % difference between their value and the certified uranium massic concentration in SRM 4353 (Rocky Flats Soil B I). This report prompted an investigation using several independent methods to confirm the certified uranium value. Investigation indicated the discrepancy to be due to a highly insoluble minor mineral fraction that contained high concentrations of uranium. The suspect mineral, zircon, is widespread in soils and sediments and represents an analytical complication.

Evaluation of radioactive environmental hazards in Area-3, Northern Palmyrides, Central Syria using airborne spectrometric gamma technique

Airborne spectrometric gamma data are used in this paper to estimate the degree of radioactive hazard on humanity in Area-3, Northern Palmyrides, Central Syria. Exposure Rate (ER), Absorbed Dose Rate (ADR), Annual Effective Dose Rate (AEDR), and Heat Production (HP) of the eleven radiometric units included in the established lithological scored map in the study area have been computed to evaluate the radiation background influence in humans. The results obtained indicate that a human body in Area-3 is subjected to radiation hazards in the acceptable limits for long duration exposure. The highest radiogenetic heat production values in Area-3 correspond to the phosphatic locations characterized by relatively high values of uranium and thorium.

U–Pb Ages for Zircon Grains from Nsanaragati Alluvial Gem Placers: Its Correlation to the Source Rocks

AbstractThe Mamfe Basin is located in the SW of Cameroon and is an extension of the much bigger Benue Trough in the SE of Nigeria. Along the Asenem River and its tributaries in the western part of the Mamfe Basin (close to the border with Nigeria) gem placers yielding big zircon grains were found in recent river sediments close to Nsanaragati. In order to determine the source area and to establish a possible correlation between the zircons found in the Nsanaragati placers and rocks surrounding the Mamfe Basin 56 detrital zircon grains were analysed regarding their U–Pb ages and selected trace element contents by LA‐ICP–MS techniques. Possible source areas are rocks from the Benue Trough in the West and from the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL) in the SE of the study area. Based on microscopic analyses it was possible to distinguish two groups of zircons: reddish and non‐reddish ones, where the latter group comprises color variations from brown to orange, yellow to even colorless. In general, the detrital zircons show high hafnium values (4576 to 12565 ppm) and very variable thorium (7.8 to 1565 ppm) and uranium values (13.4 to 687 ppm). The Th/U ratios vary from 0.4 to 2.3, allowing correlations for some zircon grains to kimberlitic, granitic or syenitic affinities. It was also possible to distinguish zircon grains crystallised in mafic mantle‐derived melts from those crystallised in felsic melts, e.g. from continental rift‐related magmatic systems. In general, the U–Pb zircon ages obtained range from 11.7 to 1949 Ma. All zircons of the reddish group yielded almost similar ages resulting in a Concordia age of 12.4 Ma (Serravallian), an age unknown from the Mamfe Basin so far. The group of non‐reddish zircons showed various ages ranging from Serravallian to Orosirian. It was possible to correlate the youngest ages with rocks known from intrusions along the CVL, dated with K/Ar or Ar/Ar methods. The most probable sources were Mount Bamenda and Mount Bambouto in the east of the Mamfe Basin. Cretaceous ages are interpreted as re‐recycled clastic sediments whose original source had been rocks in the south and the north of the Benue Trough and who had been eroded and deposited within the catchment area of the Asenem river system in the Mamfe Basin in post‐Cretaceous times. The oldest ages are assumed to represent the pan‐African and pre‐pan‐African basement of the Mamfe basin.

Dilution of Recycled Uranium with Low-Enriched and Waste Uranium in a Cascade with Three Feeds

The five-flow cascade to enrich recycled uranium with simultaneous its dilution with low-enriched uranium and waste uranium is proposed. The results of computational experiments show that the proposed cascade has the advantages in the consumption of natural uranium value of the separation work in comparison to both the previously proposed multi-flow cascades, and the standard cascade to enrich natural uranium.

Leaching kinetics of uranium from a quartz–chlorite–biotite rich low-grade Indian ore

This paper describes the results of ore characterization and acid dissolution kinetics of uranium from a low-grade uranium ore in eastern part (Narwapahar, Singhbhum district) of India. The host rock for uranium mineralization is quartz-chlorite-biotite schist. The average U3O8 content is 0.025 % chemically and the main radioactive phase is uraninite. Critical process conditions which influence the leachability of uranium values in sulfuric acid media were studied as a function of reaction time. The results indicate that particle size, acid concentration and temperature of reaction, affect the dissolution behavior of uraninite significantly. The mechanism of leaching of uranium was determined using the shrinking core kinetic model and has been found to follow the product layer diffusion process. A rate equation was formulated using the activation energy and reaction orders of important process parameters.

Locating New Uranium Occurrence by Integrated Weighted Analysis in Kaladgi Basin, Karnataka

Interpretation of airborne geophysical data especially gamma ray spectrometric data is important for mineral exploration, specifically radioactive elements and to identify uranium targets. Exploration was carried out in MesoNeoproterozoic Kaladgi basin for five decades to target different types of uranium mineralisation. The first sizable sub-surface uranium mineralisation was intercepted at Deshnur within Badami arenites close to unconformity contact along the southern margin of the basin (Shobhita et al., 2011). Heliborne geophysical surveys were carried out in western part of the basin from Kadgaon to Ramdurg to acquire Time Domain Electromagnetic, Magnetic and Radiometric data. The radiometric data was collected using Exploranium GR820 airborne (256-channel recording) spectrometer system mounted in a helicopter with four 4.2L downward looking crystals and one 4.2L upward looking crystal for a total effective volume of 16.8L downwards and 4.2L upwards. The raw radiometric data was processed for corrections (background, radon, stripping, height attenuation etc) and counts were converted to ground concentration of %K, eU ppm, and eTh ppm, and their grid maps were prepared (Sridhar et al, 2012) . Kaladgi basin is an irregular E-W trending area in the northern part of Dharwar craton. In the study area, Kaladgi basin sediments are exposed as unconformably overlying the basement crystallines in the south and are covered by Deccan traps in the north. The crystalline basement of the Kaladgi Supergroup is represented by NNW trending Meso to Neoarchaean peninsular gneiss, greenstone belts and Closepet granite. The sedimentary sequence in the Kaladgi Supergroup has been divided along an angular unconformity surface into two groups: the lower Bagalkot Group, and the overlying Badami Group. The sediments of Bagalkot Group comprises of arenaceous, argillaceous and carbonate sequences which are folded into a series of anticlines and synclines. The sediments of Badami Group are undeformed and rest unconformably over the Archaean basement rocks as well as the Bagalkot Group. The Badami Group comprises of horizontal to gently dipping beds of arenite, shale and limestones (Jayaprakash et al., 1987). This study aims at identifying uranium potential zones by integrated analysis of thematic layer interpreted and derived from airborne radiometric and magnetic data, satellite data along with available ground geochemical data in western part of Kaladgi basin. Integrated weighted analysis of spatial datasets which included airborne radiometric data (eU, eTh & % K conc.), litho-structural map, hydrogeochemical U conc., and geomorphological data pertaining to study area, was attempted. The weightage analysis was done in GIS environment where different spatial dataset were brought on to a single platform and were analyzed by integration (Fig.1). The processed radiometric database was taken up for quantitative analysis to identify radiometric uranium anomalies. The database was clipped by using exposed and inferred lithological contacts of Badami Group to separate out data over sediments of Badami Group only. The analysis was carried out in two methods - 1 st the whole block and 2 nd Badami Group exclusive. Statistical analysis was applied to the airborne spectrometric data for separation of uranium anomalies from background. The statistics of the databases for uranium, thorium, ratio of uranium to thorium and uranium squared by thorium were calculated. The anomalies were extracted by applying cutoff threshold values for uranium, uranium by thorium and uranium squared by thorium channels in both methods. These anomalies were plotted spatially and they were classified as cluster anomalies and point anomalies depending upon their nature. Weightages were assigned based on nature of anomalies and cluster anomalies were given more weightage as they are more significant compared to point anomalies. The anomalies extracted from the

Uranium Concentration in Drinking Water from Small-scale Water Supplies in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

In this study the drinking water of 212 small-scale water supplies, mainly situated in areas with intensive agriculture or fruit-growing, was analysed for uranium. The median uranium concentration amounted to 0.04 µg/lL, the 95(th) percentile was 2.5 µg/L. The maximum level was 14 µg/L. This sample exceeded the guideline value for uranium in drinking water. The uranium concentration in small-scale water supplies was found to be slightly higher than that in central water works in Schleswig-Holstein. Water containing more than 10 mg/L nitrate showed significantly higher uranium contents. The results indicate that the uranium burden in drinking water from small wells is mainly determined by geological factors. An additional anthropogenic effect of soil management cannot be excluded. Overall uranium concentrations were low and not causing health concerns. However, in specific cases higher concentrations may occur.

Contribution for the derivation of a soil screening value (SSV) for uranium, using a natural reference soil.

In order to regulate the management of contaminated land, many countries have been deriving soil screening values (SSV). However, the ecotoxicological data available for uranium is still insufficient and incapable to generate SSVs for European soils. In this sense, and so as to make up for this shortcoming, a battery of ecotoxicological assays focusing on soil functions and organisms, and a wide range of endpoints was carried out, using a natural soil artificially spiked with uranium. In terrestrial ecotoxicology, it is widely recognized that soils have different properties that can influence the bioavailability and the toxicity of chemicals. In this context, SSVs derived for artificial soils or for other types of natural soils, may lead to unfeasible environmental risk assessment. Hence, the use of natural regional representative soils is of great importance in the derivation of SSVs. A Portuguese natural reference soil PTRS1, from a granitic region, was thereby applied as test substrate. This study allowed the determination of NOEC, LOEC, EC20 and EC50 values for uranium. Dehydrogenase and urease enzymes displayed the lowest values (34.9 and <134.5 mg U Kg, respectively). Eisenia andrei and Enchytraeus crypticus revealed to be more sensitive to uranium than Folsomia candida. EC50 values of 631.00, 518.65 and 851.64 mg U Kg were recorded for the three species, respectively. Concerning plants, only Lactuca sativa was affected by U at concentrations up to 1000 mg U kg1. The outcomes of the study may in part be constrained by physical and chemical characteristics of soils, hence contributing to the discrepancy between the toxicity data generated in this study and that available in the literature. Following the assessment factor method, a predicted no effect concentration (PNEC) value of 15.5 mg kg−1 dw was obtained for U. This PNEC value is proposed as a SSV for soils similar to the PTRS1.

Elevated Uranium and Toxic Elements Concentration in Groundwater in Punjab State of India: Extent of the Problem and Risk Due to Consumption of Unsafe Drinking Water

The article provides the first ever Statewise information on uranium and other toxic elements (Pb, As, Cd, Al, Hg, Se, and Ni) present in excess quantity in groundwater in Punjab State of India. It undertakes detailed analysis of 252 ground water samples, out of total 1,686 samples, which were found exceeding guideline value for uranium in drinking water as specified by different regulating agencies like Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) India, United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and World Health Organization (WHO). The groundwater samples were collected from 14 districts for analysis of uranium following suspected high level of uranium in groundwater and possible co-relationship of uranium in drinking water with high incidences of cancer, kidney problem, birth defects, and other abnormalities in some areas in Punjab State of India. Basic information on cancer-related incidences is also given. Keeping in view that there could be multiple reasons of cancer-related incidences and other health hazards, data on pesticide consumption in the State were also collected, and test results of other toxic elements (Pb, As, Cd, Al, Hg, Se, and Ni) in 7,176 groundwater-based drinking water sources are also presented.The analysis reveals that groundwater at many villages, which is used for drinking purpose, is contaminated with uranium and other toxic metals, and consumption of drinking water contaminated with many toxic elements may be one of the reason of high incidences of cancer, kidney problem, birth defects, and other abnormalities in some areas in Punjab State of India.

Process development studies for the recovery of uranium and sodium sulphate from a low-grade dolostone hosted stratabound type uranium ore deposit

An innovative hydrometallurgical process flowsheet comprising of ‘oxidative alkaline pressure leaching–counter-current filtration–direct precipitation–reagent regeneration cum recycle’ was developed for effective recovery of the uranium values from a low-grade dolostone hosted stratabound type uranium ore deposit in Southern Cuddapah basin of India. Many challenges inherent in the ore like: lean-tenor (U3O8 about 0·04%), absence of discrete uranium phases, distribution of majority of uranium values (about 90% by weight) as ultra-fine dissemination in carbonate matrix and presence of reactive sulphide minerals, were converted into opportunities leading to establishment of a process plant after elaborate laboratory and pilot-plant investigations. This paper discusses the results of the laboratory and pilot-plant investigations carried out for development of the process flowsheet.

Performance Study of Some Reverse Osmosis Systems for Removal of Uranium and Total Dissolved Solids in Underground Waters of Punjab State, India

Radionuclides (uranium, thorium, radium, radon gas etc.) are found naturally in air, water, soil and rock. Everyday, we ingest and inhale these radionuclides through the air we breathe and through food and water we take. Out of the internal exposure via ingestion of radionuclides, water contributes the major portion. The natural radioactivity of water is due to the activity transfer from bed rock and soils. In our surveys carried out in the past few years, we have observed high concentrations of uranium and total dissolved solids (TDS) in drinking waters of some southern parts of Punjab State exceeding the safe limits recommended by national and international agencies. The main drinking water source is the underground water procured from different depths. Due to the highly saline taste, disorders in their digestive systems and other ailments, people are installing reverse osmosis (RO) systems in their houses. Some RO systems have been installed on commercial basis. The state government is also in the process of installing community RO systems at the village level. As high values of uranium are also undesired and may pose health hazards due to radioactivity and toxicity of uranium, we have conducted a survey in the field to study the performance of various RO systems for removal of uranium and TDS. Water samples from about forty RO systems from Faridkot, Mansa, Bathinda and Amritsar districts of Punjab State were collected and analyzed. Our results show that some RO systems are able to remove more than 99% of uranium in the underground waters used for drinking purposes. TDS values are also reduced considerably to the desired levels. So RO systems can be used to avoid the risk of unduly health problems posed by high concentrations of uranium and TDS in drinking water.

Measurement of natural radioactivity and evaluation of radiation hazards in coastal sediments of east coast of Tamilnadu using statistical approach

The concentrations of natural radionuclides in the sediments from Thazhankuda (Cuddalore) to Kodiyakkarai of east coast of Tamilnadu have been measured using gamma-ray spectrometry. Using the activity concentrations of these radionuclides, radiological hazard indices were evaluated in order to determine the effects of the sediments. The calculated average value of uranium, thorium and potassium are 3.8, 26.23 and 328.68Bqkg−1, respectively. The radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose rate, activity utilization index, internal and external radiation hazard indices were calculated to study the hazardous nature. These values obtained from the coastal sediments were less than the recommended safe and criterion limits given by UNSCEAR. Results of the study could serve as an important baseline radiometric data for future epidemiological studies and monitoring initiatives in the study area. The statistical methods were applied to study the relationship between all the calculated natural radionuclides.

A fingerprinting method for the identification of uranium sources in alluvial aquifers: An example from the Khan and Swakop Rivers, Namibia

A fingerprinting method for identifying sources of uranium in shallow groundwater alluvial aquifers of the Khan and Swakop Rivers was established using 234U/238U ratios and 235U/238U ratios in the areas that drain the Rossing Uranium mine and the Langer Heinrich Uranium mine, in Namibia. In most groundwater aquifers that drain basement granitoids enriched in uranium the contribution of the total uranium in the shallow alluvial aquifers may be significant. Another source of uranium in shallow alluvial aquifers maybe from anthropogenic sources associated with mining activities as is the case in our study area. The distribution of radionuclides in water depend on various factors that influence their solubility and mobility and control their concentration in water such as pH, Eh, O2 and availability of ligands. The study identified a methodology that can fingerprint the two sources i.e., a natural source where 234U/238U ratios are above unity and a second one where this ratio is below unity implying that the source is anthropogenic. In the study area, 234U/238U activity ratio is above unity (1.3–1.7) and 235U/238U is 0.045±0.015 that both identify a natural source for all elevated uranium and other radionuclides in groundwater of the study area. The uranium values in groundwater exceed the WHO guideline value of 15μg/l and it increases in the lowest part of Swakop River; but there is no gradual or systematic change in uranium concentration thus indicating that concentration is related to local factors such as the geology and lithology of the aquifer material, Eh and pH for each borehole. The 238U decay series exhibits disequilibrium due to different fractionation processes that include decaying of radioactive elements and alpha recoiling.

Estimated Background Values Maps of Uranium in Santiago Island Topsoil and Stream Sediments

We present maps of estimates of background values of uranium in the soils and stream sediments of Santiago Island, Cape Verde, delineate their main sources, relate them with the geology of the island, and assess their environmental risks. We use an index to numerically access the environmental risk of U, which we denominate by Environmental Risk Index. Values of this index higher than one were only found in three soil sampling points, all for agricultural purposes. So, U in Santiago topsoil and stream sediments has a geogenic origin and there is no contamination of uranium in these two sampling media.

Selectivty Assessments of a Sequential Extraction Procedure for Potential Trace Metals’ Mobility and Bioavailability in Phosphate Rocks from Jordan Phosphate Mines

A modified six-step sequential extraction procedure was used to fractionate and determine the following trace metals: U4+, As5+, Cd2+, Cr+2, Cu2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, and V5+ in three different phosphate rocks from mines in Jordan. The mean values of uranium in the samples investigated were 98 ± 6 mgkg−1, 92 ± 3 mgkg−1, 215 ± 6 mgkg−1, and 159 ± 13 mgkg−1, respectively. The sequential extraction results obtained showed that most of the U4+ in these samples was strongly bound with 87%, 93%, 97%, and 93% of the total content, respectively, remaining in the samples after the sequential extraction steps were performed. Hence, 13%–7% and 3%–7%, respectively, of the U4+ is distributed in the most labile form, indicating that the majority of the U4+ in these samples was highly incorporated within the apatite present in the samples. The aforementioned was in agreement with the XRD and SEM-EDX results obtained. The apparent mobility of U4+, As5+, Cd2+, Cr+2, Cu2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, and V5+ (using all six extraction steps) from the Al-Abied and Al-Hasa samples was as follows: As5+ (30.17%)> Cu2+ (6.55%)> Zn2+(4.34%)> Cd2+ (3.84%) Cr+2 (3.66%)> Pb2+ (2.57%)> V5+ (53%)> Ni2+ (1.71%)> U4+ (0.99%). The mobility of As5+, Cd2+, Cu2+, Cr+2, Ni2+, Pb2+, U4+, Zn2+, and V5+ (using all six extraction steps) from Eshidiya samples was as follows: As5+ (17.32%)> Cr+2 (4.84%)> Zn2+ (4.25%)> Pb2+ (4.19%)> Cu2+ (3.49%)> V5+ (1.42%)> Cd2+ (0.78) U4+ (0.09%)> Ni2+ (0%).

Effects of compression on porous texture of clay powder: Application to uranium diffusion

This paper presents the results of tests conducted on the compaction properties of clay. Swelling clays of Algeria are being examined as components of the buffer material. Knowledge of the porous texture in clay samples is a useful element in the microstructural characterization of such materials. The prepared materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Differential Thermal and Thermo Gravimetric Analysis, Laser Granulometry, Scanning Electron Microscopy, mercury porosimetry and nitrogen adsorption/desorption to obtain information about their structure and surface texture. The cationic exchange of clay minerals, in particular smectites, influences the cation retention and diffusion processes. These processes influence the migration of contaminants from waste disposal sites through clay barrier. In the present work we studied the effect of cation exchange and compaction on the textural properties of clay. Pellets of the Na-saturated and bulk clay samples were prepared by compression of the powder samples using uniaxial stress at different pressures in order to obtain different densities. The pressures of 31–127MPa are applied for the production of cylindrical samples with diameter of 20mm and heights of 15–30mm. The effect of compaction of clay on the diffusion behavior of uranium was studied for the safety assessment of the radioactive waste. The diffusion process of uranium in compacted clay has been modeled by second Fick's law taking into account the effect of sorption and considering the non-steady state. The diffusion coefficients and profiles concentration values of uranium were calculated by computational method using numerical program based on Newton–Raphson algorithm.

Synthesis, characterization, thermodynamic and kinetic investigations on uranium (VI) adsorption using organic-inorganic composites: Zirconyl-molybdopyrophosphate-tributyl phosphate

Zirconyl-molybdopyrophosphate-tributyl phosphate (ZMPP-TBP) was a novel organic-inorganic composite adsorbent prepared by co-precipitation method and used in the adsorption of uranium from aqueous solution in batch adsorption experiments. The as-obtained product was characterized using SEM, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), XRD and BET-N2 adsorption measurements. The study had been conducted to investigate the effects of solution pH, temperature, contact time, initial concentration and coexisting ions. A maximum removal of 99.31% was observed for an initial concentration 5 mg/L, at pH 6.0 and an adsorbent dose of 1.0 g/L. The isothermal data were fitted with both Langmuir and Freundlich equations, but the data fitted the former better than the latter. According to the evaluation using the Langmuir equation, the maximum adsorption capacity of uranium (VI) was 196.08 mg/g at 293 K and pH 6.0. The pseudo-first-order kinetic model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model were used to describe the kinetic data, and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model was better. The thermodynamic parameter ΔG was calculated, the negative ΔG values of uranium (VI) at different temperature showed that the adsorption process was spontaneous. The good reusability of ZMPP-TBP also indicated that the ZMPP-TBP was a very promising adsorbent for uranium adsorption from aqueous solution.