Uranium Release and Capture by Reduction¶

This is an Example from [Appelo and Rolle, 2010] based on [Appelo and Dimier, 2004]. Uranium containing acid leachate from a mine migrates in to an aquifer exhibiting oxic and anoxic (pyritic) conditions in the upper and lower part of the aquifer, respectively. In the upper (oxic) part, U(6) is retarded by surface complexation reactions with iron oxides. In the lower anoxic and pyrite-bearing part, U(6) becomes reduced to U(4) and readily precipitates as coffinite (USiO4). Also cation exchange processes are considered.