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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,...
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Nuclear transmutation is the conversion of one nuclide into another. It can occur by the radioactive decay of a nucleus, or the reaction of a nucleus with another particle. The first manmade nucleus was produced in Ernest Rutherford’s laboratory in 1919 by a transmutation reaction, the bombardment of one type of nuclei with other nuclei or with neutrons. Rutherford bombarded nitrogen-14 atoms with high-speed α particles from a natural radioactive isotope of radium and observed...
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The average temperature of Earth is the subject of much current discussion. Earth is in radiative contact with both the Sun and dark space; it receives almost all its energy from the radiation of the Sun and reflects some of it into outer space. Dark space is very cold, about 3 K, so Earth radiates energy into it. For instance, heat transfer occurs from soil and grasses, the rate of which can be so rapid that frost can occur on clear summer evenings, even in warm latitudes.
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Controlled nuclear fission reactions are used to generate electricity. Any nuclear reactor that produces power via the fission of uranium or plutonium by bombardment with neutrons has six components: nuclear fuel consisting of fissionable material, a nuclear moderator, a neutron source, control rods, reactor coolant, and a shield and containment system.
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Transition metals are defined as those elements that have partially filled d orbitals. As shown in Figure 1, the d-block elements in groups 3–12 are transition elements. The f-block elements, also called inner transition metals (the lanthanides and actinides), also meet this criterion because the d orbital is partially occupied before the f orbitals.
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Thorium Valorization at the Interface of Technology, Risk, and Sustainability.

Geani Teodor Man1,2, Andreea Maria Iordache1, Diana Ionela Popescu Stegarus1

  • 1National Research and Development Institute for Cryogenics and Isotopic Technologies-ICSI Râmnicu Valcea, 4th Uzinei Street, 240050 Ramnicu Valcea, Romania.

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Thorium (Th) management requires balancing its nuclear resource potential with environmental risks. Sustainable valorization necessitates integrated approaches, focusing on lifecycle impacts and safety over mere efficiency gains.

Keywords:
circular economyenvironmental mobilityextraction technologiesrare earth elementssustainable managementthoriumtoxicological risk

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Area of Science:

  • Nuclear Chemistry
  • Environmental Science
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Thorium (Th) is a naturally occurring actinide with dual roles as a nuclear resource and environmental contaminant.
  • Current extraction methods, primarily by-products of rare earth element (REE) processing, face challenges with secondary waste generation and environmental impact.
  • Emerging technologies show promise but lack scalability and stability for industrial application.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically reassess thorium valorization pathways.
  • To integrate extraction technologies, environmental behavior, toxicological risks, and regulatory constraints.
  • To propose a circular economy framework for sustainable thorium management.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and critical analysis of thorium extraction technologies.
  • Integration of environmental behavior and toxicological risk data.
  • Assessment of regulatory constraints and lifecycle impacts.

Main Results:

  • Thorium's environmental mobility and toxicity are linked to extraction processes, affecting bioavailability.
  • A significant gap exists between laboratory efficiencies and real-world applicability of thorium recovery methods.
  • Conventional hydrometallurgy generates substantial waste, while emerging technologies face scalability hurdles.

Conclusions:

  • Successful thorium valorization requires holistic designs prioritizing environmental and health safeguards.
  • A circular economy framework is proposed for sustainable thorium management, encompassing green processing and waste recovery.
  • Future efforts must bridge the gap between lab-scale potential and industrial viability for thorium resource management.