Biogenic uraninite nanoparticles and their importance for uranium remediation

John R. Bargar, Rizlan Bernier-Latmani, Daniel E. Giammar, Bradley M. Tebo

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    137 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Biogenic uraninite is of interest to geoscientists for its importance to bioremediation strategies, remarkably small particle size, and biological origin. Recent studies have begun to illuminate the chemical/ structural complexities of this important natural nanomaterial. Intriguingly, in spite of its incredibly diminutive size, the molecular-scale structure, energetics, and surface-area-normalized dissolution rates of hydrated biogenic uraninite appear to be similar to those of coarser- particle, abiotic, stoichiometric UO2. These findings have important implications for the role of size as a moderator of nanoparticle aqueous reactivity and for the bioremediation of subsurface U (VI) contamination.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)407-412
    Number of pages6
    JournalElements
    Volume4
    Issue number6
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Dec 2008

    Keywords

    • Biogenic uraninite
    • Bioremediation
    • Dissolution
    • EXAFS
    • Microbial uranium reduction
    • Uraninite

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Geochemistry and Petrology
    • Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)

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