Objective
The remediation of uranium-contaminated sediments and aquifers remains a major environmental challenge, yet the processes that control uranium speciation and mobility in the subsurface remain largely unknown. In anoxic systems, two major processes may lead to uranium reduction: direct electron transfer via bacterial metabolism or indirect electron transfer from microbially- reduced metals. Our initial experiments confirm that bacterial reduction of U(VI) may lead to the stable mineral uraninite (UO2), but in some cases a non-uraninite U(IV) species is produced. This species has been dubbed ‘monomeric U(IV)’ due to the absence of a feature in the x-ray absorption spectrum that is characteristic of the U-U interaction found in uraninite. The presence of this monomeric U(IV) species is an important development because is expected to be less stable than uraninite. Thus, its formation may have critical implications for predicting uranium immobilization in the subsurface. Here we propose an interdisciplinary project, utilizing tools from microbiology, geochemistry, and spectroscopy, to determine the conditions that mediate the formation of non-uraninite U(IV). We will initially conduct batch experiments with several bacterial species, both in the presence and absence of iron as an electron acceptor, and monitor the production of iron and uranium precipitates. Using a suite of tools including transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and extended x-ray absorbance fine structure, we will identify the speciation of reduced uranium and the mechanisms that control its reduction. Based on these results, we will conduct a series of uranium flow-through column studies to more closely simulate natural conditions. The results of these studies will help in planning environmental remediation strategies at uranium-contaminated locations and in nuclear repository design.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences geochemistry
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy electron microscopy
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy absorption spectroscopy
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IIF
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
1015 LAUSANNE
Switzerland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.