Details
Originalsprache | Englisch |
---|---|
Aufsatznummer | 15538 |
Fachzeitschrift | Nature Communications |
Jahrgang | 8 |
Publikationsstatus | Veröffentlicht - 1 Juni 2017 |
Abstract
Historically, it is believed that crystalline uraninite, produced via the abiotic reduction of hexavalent uranium (U (VI)) is the dominant reduced U species formed in low-temperature uranium roll-front ore deposits. Here we show that non-crystalline U (IV) generated through biologically mediated U (VI) reduction is the predominant U (IV) species in an undisturbed U roll-front ore deposit in Wyoming, USA. Characterization of U species revealed that the majority (-1/458-89%) of U is bound as U (IV) to C-containing organic functional groups or inorganic carbonate, while uraninite and U (VI) represent only minor components. The uranium deposit exhibited mostly 238 U-enriched isotope signatures, consistent with largely biotic reduction of U (VI) to U (IV). This finding implies that biogenic processes are more important to uranium ore genesis than previously understood. The predominance of a relatively labile form of U (IV) also provides an opportunity for a more economical and environmentally benign mining process, as well as the design of more effective post-mining restoration strategies and human health-risk assessment.
ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete
- Chemie (insg.)
- Allgemeine Chemie
- Biochemie, Genetik und Molekularbiologie (insg.)
- Allgemeine Biochemie, Genetik und Molekularbiologie
- Physik und Astronomie (insg.)
- Allgemeine Physik und Astronomie
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in: Nature Communications, Jahrgang 8, 15538, 01.06.2017.
Publikation: Beitrag in Fachzeitschrift › Artikel › Forschung › Peer-Review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Biogenic non-crystalline U (IV) revealed as major component in uranium ore deposits
AU - Bhattacharyya, Amrita
AU - Campbell, Kate M.
AU - Kelly, Shelly D.
AU - Roebbert, Yvonne
AU - Weyer, Stefan
AU - Bernier-Latmani, Rizlan
AU - Borch, Thomas
N1 - Funding information: This project was funded by the University of Wyoming, School of Energy Resources, which administered funds appropriated by the Wyoming State Legislature for research activities related to uranium ISR in Wyoming. Additional support was provided by the Toxic Substance Hydrology Program at the US Geological Survey. We thank James Clay of Cameco Resources for providing access to the Smith Ranch-Highland ISR site and for logistical and technical support of the field sampling, and to Richard Wanty (USGS) for review comments. Use of the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, is supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences under Contract No. DE-AC02-76SF00515. Any use of trade, firm or product names was for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the US Government
PY - 2017/6/1
Y1 - 2017/6/1
N2 - Historically, it is believed that crystalline uraninite, produced via the abiotic reduction of hexavalent uranium (U (VI)) is the dominant reduced U species formed in low-temperature uranium roll-front ore deposits. Here we show that non-crystalline U (IV) generated through biologically mediated U (VI) reduction is the predominant U (IV) species in an undisturbed U roll-front ore deposit in Wyoming, USA. Characterization of U species revealed that the majority (-1/458-89%) of U is bound as U (IV) to C-containing organic functional groups or inorganic carbonate, while uraninite and U (VI) represent only minor components. The uranium deposit exhibited mostly 238 U-enriched isotope signatures, consistent with largely biotic reduction of U (VI) to U (IV). This finding implies that biogenic processes are more important to uranium ore genesis than previously understood. The predominance of a relatively labile form of U (IV) also provides an opportunity for a more economical and environmentally benign mining process, as well as the design of more effective post-mining restoration strategies and human health-risk assessment.
AB - Historically, it is believed that crystalline uraninite, produced via the abiotic reduction of hexavalent uranium (U (VI)) is the dominant reduced U species formed in low-temperature uranium roll-front ore deposits. Here we show that non-crystalline U (IV) generated through biologically mediated U (VI) reduction is the predominant U (IV) species in an undisturbed U roll-front ore deposit in Wyoming, USA. Characterization of U species revealed that the majority (-1/458-89%) of U is bound as U (IV) to C-containing organic functional groups or inorganic carbonate, while uraninite and U (VI) represent only minor components. The uranium deposit exhibited mostly 238 U-enriched isotope signatures, consistent with largely biotic reduction of U (VI) to U (IV). This finding implies that biogenic processes are more important to uranium ore genesis than previously understood. The predominance of a relatively labile form of U (IV) also provides an opportunity for a more economical and environmentally benign mining process, as well as the design of more effective post-mining restoration strategies and human health-risk assessment.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85020200109&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1038/ncomms15538
DO - 10.1038/ncomms15538
M3 - Article
C2 - 28569759
AN - SCOPUS:85020200109
VL - 8
JO - Nature Communications
JF - Nature Communications
SN - 2041-1723
M1 - 15538
ER -