Investigations of the sorption of U(VI) onto SiO2 in the presence of phosphate: In search of a ternary surface complex


Investigations of the sorption of U(VI) onto SiO2 in the presence of phosphate: In search of a ternary surface complex

Comarmond, M. J.; Foerstendorf, H.; Steudtner, R.; Chong, E.; Heim, K.; Müller, K.; Gückel, K.; Brendler, V.; Payne, T. E.

The adsorption of U(VI) in the environment is known to be influenced by the presence of both inorganic and organic ligands in the aqueous phase [1]. In the present study, the ternary system containing U(VI), phosphate and SiO2 is investigated using a batch sorption technique, in situ attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy and time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). Whilst SiO2 is a predominant component of soils and host rock and the speciation of uranium with phosphate is complex [2], limited studies of the U(VI)/PO4/SiO2 ternary system [3] exist. Nevertheless, such studies have significant relevance in understanding radionuclide migration in geological systems.

[1] Payne, T.E., Lumpkin, G.R. and Waite, T.D. (1998). ‘UraniumVI adsorption on model minerals” in Adsorption of Metals by Geomedia, Chapter 2, p. 75-97, Jenne, E.A., Ed.; Academic Press, San Diego, U.S.A.
[2] Sandino, A. and Bruno, J. (1992). “The solubility of (UO2)3(PO4)2.4H2O(s) and the formation of U(VI) phosphate complexes: Their influence in uranium speciation of natural waters.” Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 56, 4135-4145.
[3] Zhang, H. and Tao, Z. (2002). “Sorption of uranyl ions on silica: Effects of contact time, pH, ionic strength, concentration and phosphate.” Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 254(1), 103-107.

Keywords: ATR FT-IR; TRLFS; Uranium; Speciation

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    14th International Conference on the Chemistry and Migration Behaviour of Actinides and Fission Products in the Geosphere, 08.-13.09.2013, Brighton, United Kingdom

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