Project description
Removing uranium from contaminated water supplies
A source of fresh water for drinking, irrigation and ecosystem needs, groundwater is important. This is why protecting groundwater from pollution and deterioration is vital. Uranium is a natural radionuclide that is a common component in groundwater. Removing it from contaminated water supplies is a priority. In this context, the EU-funded MITRad project will shed new light on uranium retention pathways in calcite mediated by iron sulfides and microorganisms in a deep crystalline rock–groundwater system. Specifically, it will implement a comprehensive experimental approach that involves various isotope proxies in minerals and secondary, deep groundwaters, integration with microbiological studies, spectroscopic techniques and hydrogeochemical modelling.
Objective
The European Union supports several directives to protect groundwater from hazardous contaminants, including radionuclides. This project aims to increase understanding of uranium retention pathways in calcite mediated by iron sulphides and microorganisms in a deep crystalline rock-groundwater system. This will be achieved by implementing a comprehensive experimental approach involving various isotope proxies in minerals and secondary, deep groundwaters, integration with microbiological studies, spectroscopic techniques, and hydrogeochemical modelling. The results will help to decipher microbial signatures in modern and ancient redox processes and microbial impact on the mobility of trace elements in groundwaters in the vicinity of the future granitic type nuclear repositories.
Fields of science
Not validated
Not validated
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinator
35195 Vaxjo
Sweden