Synthetic Humic Acids A Useful Tool to Study the Interaction of Humic Acids with Actinides in the Environment

The present work gives a detailed overview about our motivation for the synthesis of humic acid model substances. Exemplary for one synthetic humic acid (type M42), which is synthesized from xylose, glutamic acid and water [1], the synthesis, 14C-labeling ([14C]M42) and modification (M42-PB) of humic acids are described. We will discuss the characterization of these synthetic humic acids in comparison to natural humic acids from the literature as well as to natural humic acid Kranichsee [2]. This humic acid was isolated from surface water of the mountain bog "Kleiner Kranichsee" (Johanngeorgenstadt, Western Saxony, Germany) applying standard isolation techniques for humic acids.
The application of synthetic humic acid model substances will be presented with two examples. First, we will demonstrate the use of humic acid type M42 and humic acid type M42 with blocked phenolic and other blocked acidic OH groups (M42-PB) as model substances for the investigation of the neptunium(V) complexation by humic acids.
Secondly, we will discuss the application of 14C-labeled synthetic humic acid type M42 in batch and column experiments. The intend of these investigations is to improve the knowledge about the influence of humic acids on the mobilization or immobilization of actinides under natural conditions.
In addition to humic acid-like melanoidins, we synthesize humic acid model substances with distinct redox functionalities. Applying these model substances, detailed investigations with regard to the redox behavior of humic acids as well as to the redox stability of actinide humate complexes can be performed. In the present work we will give an brief overview about the synthesis, characterization and application of humic acids with pronounced redox functionalities.

[1] S. Pompe (Sachs), M. Bubner, K. Schmeide, K.H. Heise, G. Bernhard, H. Nitsche, 'Influence of Humic Acids on the Migration Behavior of Radioactive and Non-radioactive Substances under Conditions Close to Nature. Synthesis, Radiometric Determination of Functional Groups, Complexation', Report FZR-290, Rossendorf, 2000.
[2] K. Schmeide, H. Zänker, K.H. Heise, H. Nitsche, in Report FZKA 6124, G. Buckau (ed.), Karlsruhe, 1998, p. 161.