Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/C506799/1
Geochemical and microbial controls of decomposition and dispersion of depleted uranium in the environment.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor DJ Vaughan, The University of Manchester, Earth Atmospheric and Env Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor JR Lloyd, The University of Manchester, Earth Atmospheric and Env Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor G Gadd, University of Dundee, School of Life Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr MJ Keith-Roach, University of Plymouth, Sch of Geog Earth & Environ Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr N Bryan, The University of Manchester, Chemistry
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor F Livens, The University of Manchester, Chemistry
- Grant held at:
- The University of Manchester, Earth Atmospheric and Env Sciences
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Marine
- Freshwater
- Earth
- Overall Classification:
- Earth
- ENRIs:
- Pollution and Waste
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Science Topics:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Pollution
- Environment & Health
- Biogeochemical Cycles
- Abstract:
- Depleted uranium (DU) has been used in recent years in the manufacture of munitions fired chiefly from tanks and aircraft. It is used because of its hardness and high density, which means that it can penetrate even the thickest armour plate used for tanks and similar military vehicles. Although DU is 40 percent less radioactive than natural uranium, it still poses a significant radiation hazard, particularly if uranium released by the breakdown of DU can contaminate drinking water or enter the food chain via contamination of soils. The proposed research will investigate the processes, their mechanisms and rates, whereby DU breaks down and releases uranium into the environment. Both the breakdown of DU and subsequent dispersion of these breakdown products in a representative range of environments (soil/sediment, desert/temperate climate, terrestrial/marine, natural/manmade urban) will be studied using state-of-the-art methods. Both chemical and microbial decomposition processes will be considered, and the dispersion and transport of breakdown products measured and used quantitatively to predict the environmental hazards posed by the use of these munitions.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/C506799/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Directed Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Depleted Uranium
This grant award has a total value of £553,965
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - T&S | Total - Staff | Total - Other Costs | Total - Equipment | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £12,479 | £291,499 | £63,955 | £29,863 | £156,171 |
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