Department of Surface Processes

• Research
• Experimental Methods and Equipment
• Staff

Research

A detailed knowledge of the molecular processes determining the migration behavior of heavy metal contaminants, namely long-lived radionuclides, in the environment is mandatory for the assessment of their dissemination and the risk involved for human health. A deep understanding of these processes, which in general are strongly related to the host rock in the in the near and far field of the considered site, is fundamental for the development of new detoxification, separation and remediation strategies but also for the design of a deep underground waste repository. Thus, a characterization and ranking of the most relevant interactions of radionuclides with mineral surfaces, but also the aqueous chemistry of these heavy metals, represents the central scope of the Department of Surface Processes of the Institute of Resource Ecology.

In this context, the exploration of complex systems, such as the sorption processes on naturally occurring mineral surfaces, the aqueous speciation and colloid forming processes within a wide range of environmental parameters becomes essential. From the results obtained, the identification of (surface) species and development of molecular models comprehensively describing the mechanisms of transport and retention of the radionuclides in the environment can be achieved. These models are expanded into the compilation of databases providing reliable parameter sets for the assessment of the macroscopic migration behavior of the long-lived radionuclides.

The actual major research topics of the department can be summarized as follows:

• Spectroscopic characterization of heavy metal species in aqueous solutions and at mineral surfaces as a function of pH, temperature, and salinity including the impact of redox active complexing compounds. (→)
• Development and parameterization of models describing surface complexation phenomena of heavy metal ions on mineral oxides and rock materials (e.g. natural clays). (→)
• Investigation of the complexation behavior of long-lived radionuclides with organic compounds and biomolecules in aqueous media.
• Identification and characterization of colloidal nanoparticles of actinides and their relevance for radionuclide transport in the environment (from the source of radionuclide to man’s food chain).(→)
• Set-up of thermodynamic data bases for prospective deep nuclear waste repositories. (→)

Staff

Head
Name	Bld./Office	+49 351 260	Email
Dr. Katharina Müller	801/P248	2439	k.muellerhzdr.de
Employees
Name	Bld./Office	+49 351 260	Email
Daniel Butscher	801/P352	3154	d.butscherhzdr.de
Aline Chlupka	801/P203	2429 2528	a.chlupkahzdr.de
Sebastian Friedrich	801/P352	3154	s.friedrichhzdr.de
Isabelle Jessat	801/P352	3328	i.jessathzdr.de
Dr. Norbert Jordan	801/P218	2148	n.jordanhzdr.de
Dr. Natalia Mayordomo Herranz	801/P252	2076	n.mayordomo-herranzhzdr.de
Christa Müller		3198 2538	c.muellerhzdr.de
Stephan Weiß	801/P316	2758 2523	s.weisshzdr.de
Implemantation in solid phases
Name	Bld./Office	+49 351 260	Email
Dr. Nina Maria Huittinen	801/P218	2148	n.huittinenhzdr.de