Uranium speciation in plants


Uranium speciation in plants

Günther, A.; Bernhard, G.; Geipel, G.; Rossberg, A.; Reich, T.

The chemical characterization of the radionuclide species is essential for a reliable assessment of the migration of radionuclides and heavy metals into the geological and biological environment on the load pathway soil - plant - animal - human. Only a few is known about the speciation of uranium in plants. Therefore we investigate the change of speciation during the transfer of uranium from initial solution into plant.
Various plants (lupins, dandelion e.g.) were grown in an agricultural test field and in the laboratory on contaminated soils (up to concentration of 1g U/kg soil) and as hydroponics in the uranium containing solutions (uranium concentration: 10-5 M - 10-2 M, pH: 3 - 8). For the study of the chemical speciation in the initial solution (pore water and hydroponic solution) and in plant samples we use the Time-Resolved Laser-Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy, the X-Ray-Absorption Spectroscopy and the Scanning Electron Microscopy. Differences between the uranium speciation in the initial solutions and the speciation in the plant could be detected spectroscopically. The chemical speciation of the uranium seems to be identical in the roots, shoot axes and leaves. It is independent of the growing conditions (soil culture or hydroponic) and the type of the plant. Spectroscopic results show the formation of uranyl phosphato complexes as the main species in plants.

  • Lecture (Conference)
    Uranium Mining and Hydrogeologie UMH II, 15.9.-21.9.02, Freiberg Proceedings, Uranium in the Aquatic Environment, Springer Verlag 2002, p 513-520

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-4306
Publ.-Id: 4306