Influence of microorganisms on uranium release from mining-impacted lake sediments under various oxygenation conditions

Abstract

Microbial processes can be involved in the remobilization of uranium (U) from reduced sediments under O₂ reoxidation events such as water table fluctuations. Such reactions could be typically encountered after U-bearing sediment dredging operations. Solid U(IV) species may thus reoxidize into U(VI) that can be released in pore waters in the form of aqueous complexes with organic and inorganic ligands. Non-uraninite U(IV) species may be especially sensitive to reoxidation and remobilization processes. Nevertheless, little is known regarding the effect of microbially mediated processes on the behaviour of U under these conditions.