Association of Uranium with Organic Matter- and Iron-bearing Colloids in Wetland Environments

Información del proyecto

UMIC

Identificador del acuerdo de subvención: 701542

DOI

10.3030/701542

Proyecto cerrado

Fecha de la firma de la CE 17 Marzo 2016

Fecha de inicio 1 Octubre 2016

Fecha de finalización 30 Enero 2019

Financiado con arreglo a

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Coste total

€ 175 419,60

Aportación de la UE

€ 175 419,60

Coordinado por

ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE
Switzerland

Objetivo

In the context of decreasing water standards for uranium (U) concentrations in drinking water, the use of natural or constructed wetlands is often proposed for cost-effective small-scale water treatment. The underlying mechanism is immobilization of the dissolved form of uranium, U(VI), through its reduction to a less mobile form, U(IV). However, the long-term stability of U(IV) species formed is not well understood. Indeed, a significant amount of U is found labile, even in its reduced form, and contaminates the hydrologic network in several sites. Previous studies suggest that the colloidal phase is responsible for the dispersion of U(IV) in the watershed. In addition, it has been hypothesized that the propensity of the colloidal phase to bind and mobilize U(IV) depends on the association of Fe with colloidal natural organic matter (NOM), and on the colloids conformation. However, these hypotheses need to be investigated and information is lacking on the processes leading to the formation of the pressented vector of U(IV) dissemination, i.e. Fe-NOM colloids. Understanding these processes is crucial for predicting the efficiency of wetlands as traps of U water contamination. We propose to (i) further characterize wetland colloids, in a broader panel of wetlands, and use correlation analysis to pinpoint factors controlling the NOM shape and its ability for Fe- and U-binding; (ii) test in batch experiments the effect of Fe sources on NOM properties in solution; and (iii) test the reactivity of Fe-NOM colloids with U(IV) and identify the U(IV) binding mechanisms at molecular levels. The original approach proposed will help decision making for uses of wetland filters, and also generate fundamental knowledge about NOM reactivity. The project involves the state-of-the-art expertise of the host institute (EPFL) about U geochemistry in wetlands, and the complementary expertise of Geneva University about characterization of colloidal organic matter.

Ámbito científico (EuroSciVoc)

• ciencias naturales › ciencias de la tierra y ciencias ambientales conexas › ciencias ambientales
• ciencias naturales › ciencias físicas › física de la materia condensada › física de la materia blanda
• ciencias naturales › ciencias físicas › óptica › microscopía › electron microscopy
• ciencias naturales › ciencias de la tierra y ciencias ambientales conexas › hidrología › cuenca hidrográfica
• ciencias naturales › ciencias de la tierra y ciencias ambientales conexas › ciencias de la atmósfera › climatología › cambios climáticos

Programa(s)

• H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions PROGRAMA PRINCIPAL
  
• H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
  

Tema(s)

• MSCA-IF-2015-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF)
  

Régimen de financiación

MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

Convocatoria de propuestas

H2020-MSCA-IF-2015

Coordinador

ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE

• Aportación neta de la UEn: € 175 419,60
• Dirección: BATIMENT CE 3316 STATION 1 ; 1015 Lausanne ; Suiza
• Región: Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera › Région lémanique › Vaud
• Tipo de actividad: Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
• Coste total: € 175 419,60