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Related Concept Videos

Speciation Rates01:07

Speciation Rates

Overview
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Formation of Species

Speciation describes the formation of one or more new species from one or sometimes multiple original species. The resulting species are discrete from the parent species, and barriers to reproduction will typically exist. There are two primary mechanisms, speciation with and without geographic isolation—allopatric and sympatric speciation, respectively.
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Microorganisms play a critical role in the transformation and immobilization of uranium in contaminated environments through four main pathways: bioreduction, biosorption, bioaccumulation, and biomineralization. These mechanisms reduce uranium’s toxicity and prevent its migration through groundwater systems, offering sustainable approaches for in situ bioremediation.Bioreduction of UraniumBioreduction is driven by anaerobic bacteria such as certain strains of Geobacter and Shewanella, which use...
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Updated: May 17, 2026

Speciation and Bioavailability Measurements of Environmental Plutonium Using Diffusion in Thin Films
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Speciation and Bioavailability Measurements of Environmental Plutonium Using Diffusion in Thin Films

Published on: November 9, 2015

Environmental speciation of actinides.

Kate Maher1, John R Bargar, Gordon E Brown

  • 1Department of Geological & Environmental Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-2115, USA. kmaher@stanford.edu

Inorganic Chemistry
|November 10, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Light actinides like uranium and plutonium are environmental contaminants from nuclear activities. Their behavior, transport, and toxicity depend on their chemical form and interactions with Earth materials.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Radiochemistry
  • Geochemistry

Background:

  • Light actinides (Th, Pa, U, Np, Pu, Am, Cm) are present in Earth's crust and seawater.
  • Anthropogenic activities, including uranium mining, nuclear energy, and weapons production/storage, release these actinides into the environment.
  • Actinide behavior is dictated by their speciation: composition, oxidation state, structure, and phase.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the abundance, production, and environmental sources of light actinides.
  • To examine the aqueous speciation and interactions of actinides with natural ligands and materials.
  • To discuss actinide transformations and remediation at U.S. Department of Energy sites.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on actinide abundance, sources, and speciation.
  • Analysis of aqueous speciation of U, Np, and Pu as a function of pH and Eh.
  • Examination of interactions between actinide complexes and environmental matrices (minerals, NOM, microbes) via model systems.

Main Results:

  • Actinide solubility, transport, bioavailability, and toxicity are critically dependent on speciation.
  • Interactions with minerals, natural organic matter, and microbes influence actinide dispersal and redox state.
  • Case studies highlight actinide speciation, transformation, and cleanup challenges at contaminated DOE sites.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding actinide speciation is crucial for predicting their environmental fate and impact.
  • Surface interactions play a significant role in controlling actinide mobility and transformation in the environment.
  • Remediation strategies must account for the complex chemical behavior of actinides in contaminated ecosystems.