Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/C513142/1
Mineral-microbe controls on the fate and transport of DU in the soil environment.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor DM Sherman, University of Bristol, Earth Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor G Kirk, Cranfield University, School of Water, Energy and Environment
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor K Ritz, University of Nottingham, Sch of Biosciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor J Harris, Cranfield University, School of Water, Energy and Environment
- Grant held at:
- University of Bristol, Earth Sciences
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Pollution and Waste
- Science Topics:
- Pollution
- Soil science
- Abstract:
- The military conflicts of recent years (Iraq, Kosovo) have used munitions made of depleted uranium (DU); these munitions are also extensively used at military test-ranges in the US and UK. There is great concern that such munitions have polluted the environment by introducing uranium into soil and groundwater. Under the chemical conditions of soil, DU munitions will corrode into to the soluble mineral schoepite and dissolved complexes of U(VI). The transport and bioavailability of dissolved U will be limited by sorption on to nanocrystalline clay minerals, oxyhydroxides, carbonates and complex organic polymers. At present, however, we do not have adequate surface complexation models needed to predict the effect of sorption reactions on DU corrosion products. At the same time, soils contain a variety of microorganisms which may biomineralize dissolved uranium or release chelating agents which desorb uranium from mineral surfaces. The importance of soil microbes on uranium fate and transport is unknown. The goal of the work proposed here is determine the relative importance of mineral vs. microbial controls on uranium transport in soil. We will develop and test surface complexation models for U(VI) sorption onto soil minerals that are based on molecular-level understanding of the sorption mechanisms. We will test the applicability of the surface complexation models to real soils with reactive-transport measurements with sterilised and microbially active soils. We will also characterize the molecular speciation of U as it reacts with biotic and abiotic soil.
- Period of Award:
- 1 Feb 2005 - 31 May 2008
- Value:
- £142,903 Lead Split Award
Authorised funds only
- NERC Reference:
- NE/C513142/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Directed Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Depleted Uranium
This grant award has a total value of £142,903
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - T&S | Total - Staff | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| £1,937 | £83,540 | £18,999 | £38,428 |
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