A novel laboratory simulation system to uncover the mechanisms of uranium upward transport in a desert landscape

Qinku Zhang; Steven L Larson; John H Ballard; Pohlee Cheah; Joseph A Kazery; Heather M Knotek-Smith; Fengxiang X Han

doi:10.1016/j.mex.2019.11.031

A novel laboratory simulation system to uncover the mechanisms of uranium upward transport in a desert landscape

MethodsX. 2019 Dec 3:7:100758. doi: 10.1016/j.mex.2019.11.031. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Qinku Zhang^{1

2}, Steven L Larson³, John H Ballard³, Pohlee Cheah¹, Joseph A Kazery¹, Heather M Knotek-Smith³, Fengxiang X Han¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Jackson State University, 1400 J. R. Lynch Street, Jackson, MS, 39217, USA.
² School of Civil Engineering and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Restoration in Shanbei Mining Area, Yulin University, Yulin, Shaanxi, 719000, China.
³ U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, 3909 Halls Ferry Rd., Vicksburg, MS, 39180-6199, USA.

Abstract

After depleted uranium (DU) is deposited in the environment, it corrodes producing mobile uranium species. The upward transport mechanism in a desert landscape is associated with the dissolution/precipitation of uranium minerals that vary in composition and solubility in soil pore water. The objective of this study is to develop the laboratory column simulation to investigate the upward transport mechanism with cyclic capillary wetting and drying moisture regimes. Results showed that evaporation driven upward transport occurred even during the first 2 months of wetting-drying regimes. Evaporation driven upward transport may control the U movement in the soil profile in an arid climate. The new system did not generate any uranium-containing wastewater. •Simulates the upward transport process of pollutants with different pollution levels and species.•Simultaneously simulate the transport process of multiple pollutants simultaneously.•Evaluate the influence of biogeochemical factors on pollutant transport such as various cations and anions (Ca, Mg and carbonates) in water.

Keywords: A Novel Laboratory Simulation System to Uncover the Mechanisms of Uranium Upward Transport in a Desert Landscape; Contaminant; Fraction; Soil; Transport; Uranium.