Combined approach of microsensor and EF-TEM/EELS studies to study the speciation of uranium in biofilms and in the surrounding bulk solution


Combined approach of microsensor and EF-TEM/EELS studies to study the speciation of uranium in biofilms and in the surrounding bulk solution

Krawczyk-Bärsch, E.; Lünsdorf, H.; Pedersen, K.; Arnold, T.; Bok, F.; Steudtner, R.; Lehtinen, A.; Brendler, V.

The effects of a microbial habitat (biofilm) on the transport behavior of uranium in a simulated incident in an underground repository were studied by pH and Eh microelectrodes and energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy (EF-TEM), and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). Biofilm samples were collected in the underground rock characterization facility tunnel ONKALO (Finland) and positioned in a rectangular flow cell for immobilization experiments by adding uranium to the bulk solution to a final uranium concentration of 4.25 × 10–5 M. The bulk solution was pumped through the flow cell in a closed circuit, simulating in situ conditions on the tunnel wall. The use of microelectrode with a tip diameter of 10 µm to measure pH and Eh in the biofilm proved to be essential to indicate that the biofilm has formed its own microenvironment. EF-TEM and EELS studies indicated that uranium in the biofilm was immobilized intracellularly in microorganisms by the formation of metabolically mediated uranyl phosphate, similar to Autunite. In contrast, time resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) in the bulk solution identified aqueous uranium carbonate species, likely (Ca2UO2[CO3]3), formed due to the high concentration of carbonate. The results were further confirmed by thermodynamic calculations of the predominant field of uranium species, formed in the bulk solution.
Our combined approach clearly showed that uranium was removed from solution and immobilized exclusively in biofilm microorganisms. In contrast, the aqueous uranyl carbonates species, formed in the bulk solution, may contribute to the migration of U(VI) and consequently to environmental hazard.

Keywords: biofilm; uranium; microelectrodes; EF-TEM

  • Lecture (Conference)
    marc ix - Methods & Application of Radioanalytical Chemistry, 25.-30.03.2012, Kailua-Kona, USA

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-16301
Publ.-Id: 16301