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Published on: October 15, 2015
Modeling in-situ uranium(VI) bioreduction by sulfate-reducing bacteria
Jian Luo1, Frank-Andreas Weber, Olaf A Cirpka
1Stanford University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford, CA 94305-4020, USA. jianluo@ce.gatech.edu
This study models uranium(VI) bioremediation, finding nitrate inhibits reduction and in-situ rates are slower than lab tests. Uranium(VI) sorption is kinetically controlled, influenced by pH and bicarbonate.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Geochemistry
- Microbial Ecology
Background:
- In-situ bioremediation aims to reduce uranium(VI) in groundwater.
- Understanding uranium(VI) transport and transformation is crucial for effective remediation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and apply a reactive transport model for simulating in-situ uranium(VI) bioremediation.
- To investigate the factors controlling uranium(VI) reduction and bioavailability.
Main Methods:
- A travel-time based reactive transport model was developed.
- The model incorporates uranium chemistry, sorption, precipitation, and microbial processes (nitrate, sulfate, U(VI) reduction).
- Model simulations were fitted to an in-situ experiment at Oak Ridge, TN.
Main Results:
- Nitrate presence inhibits uranium(VI) reduction.
- In-situ uranium(VI) reduction rates are significantly lower than laboratory-derived values.
- Uranium(VI) sorption/desorption is kinetically controlled and influenced by pH and bicarbonate.
- Calcium-uranyl-carbonate complexes impact uranium(VI) reduction modeling.
Conclusions:
- Kinetic factors and groundwater chemistry (pH, bicarbonate) are critical for uranium(VI) bioavailability and transport.
- In-situ bioremediation effectiveness is influenced by site-specific conditions and microbial community dynamics.
- The developed model provides a framework for predicting uranium(VI) behavior during bioremediation.
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