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Processes affecting transport of uranium in a suboxic aquifer

January 1, 2006

At the Naturita site in Colorado, USA, groundwaters were sampled and analyzed for chemical composition and by culture and culture-independent microbiological techniques. In addition, sediments were extracted with a dilute sodium carbonate solution to determine quantities of labile uranium within the sediments. Samples from the upgradient portion of the contaminated aquifer, where very little dissolved Fe(II) is found in the groundwater, have uranium content that is controlled by U(VI) adsorption and few metal-reducing bacteria are observed. In the extreme downgradient portion of the aquifer, where dissolved Fe(II) is observed, uranium content of the sediments includes significant quantities of reduced U(IV) and diverse populations of Fe(III)-reducing bacteria were present in the subsurface with the potential of reducing U(VI) to U(IV).

Publication Year 2006
Title Processes affecting transport of uranium in a suboxic aquifer
DOI 10.1016/j.pce.2006.04.005
Authors J.A. Davis, G.P. Curtis, M.J. Wilkins, M. Kohler, P. Fox, D. L. Naftz, J.R. Lloyd
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Physics and Chemistry of the Earth
Index ID 70028041
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Toxic Substances Hydrology Program