Biogenic uraninite is of interest to geoscientists for its importance to bioremediation strategies, remarkably small particle size, and biological origin. Recent studies have begun to illuminate the chemical/structural complexities of this important natural nanomaterial. Intriguingly, in spite of its incredibly diminutive size, the molecular-scale structure, energetics, and surface-area-normalized dissolution rates of hydrated biogenic uraninite appear to be similar to those of coarser-particle, abiotic, stoichiometric UO2. These findings have important implications for the role of size as a moderator of nanoparticle aqueous reactivity and for the bioremediation of subsurface U(VI) contamination.
9 October 2017 in Environmental Science & Technology
The important role of natural organic matter (NOM)–Fe colloids in influencing contaminant transport, and this role can be influenced by the formation, aggregation, and particle deposition dynamics of NOM-Fe colloids. In this work, NOM-Fe colloids at different C/Fe ratios were prepared by mixing different concentrations of humic acid (HA) with 10 mg/L Fe(II) under anoxic conditions. The colloids were characterized by an array of techniques and their aggregation and deposition behaviors were examined under both anoxic and oxic conditions. The colloids are composed of HA-Fe(II) at anoxic conditions, while they are made up of HA-Fe(III) at oxic conditions until the C/Fe molar ratio exceeds 1.6. For C/Fe molar ratios above 1.6, the aggregation and deposition kinetics of HA-Fe(II) colloids under anoxic conditions are slower than those of HA-Fe(III) colloids under oxic conditions. Further, the aggregation of HA-Fe colloids under both anoxic and oxic conditions decreases with increasing C/Fe molar ratio from 1.6 to 23.3. This study highlights the importance of the redox transformation of Fe(II) to Fe(III) and the C/Fe ratio for the formation and stability of NOM-Fe colloids that occur in subsurface environments with anoxic–oxic interfaces.
12 March 2020 in Environmental Science & Technology