Advances and challenges in remediation technologies for uranium/radium-contaminated groundwater

Abstract

Groundwater contaminated by radioactive elements such as uranium and radium poses significant risks to ecosystems and human health due to their persistence, toxicity, and bioaccumulation potential. This review summarizes recent advances in uranium/radium-contaminated groundwater remediation technology. The characteristics, migration, and transformation of uranium/radium in groundwater are analyzed, emphasizing how their speciation and environmental behavior determine the selection and effectiveness of remediation technologies. The work comprehensively examines four primary removal methods: adsorption, membrane filtration, electrochemical treatment, and bioremediation, elucidating their fundamental principles, application scenarios, and limitations, while critically examining current bottlenecks and future research directions. Adsorption leverages materials like zeolites, activated carbon, and novel composites for targeted removal, yet faces regeneration challenges and ionic interference. Membrane technologies achieve >95% rejection but suffer from fouling and high costs. Electrochemical methods enable efficient recovery via capacitive deionization or electrodeposition, though energy consumption and electrode stability require optimization. Bioremediation exploits microbial reduction and plant uptake for eco-friendly treatment but struggles with slow kinetics and environmental sensitivity. Future research should focus on enhancing existing technologies, exploring disruptive innovations (e.g., advanced materials, hybrid systems), and establishing sustainable frameworks to achieve efficient, intelligent, and sustainable remediation of uranium/radium-contaminated groundwater.