A comparative bio-oxidative leaching study of synthetic U-bearing minerals: Implications for mobility and retention

Yi Yang; Rahul Ram; Scott A McMaster; Mark I Pownceby; Miao Chen

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123914

A comparative bio-oxidative leaching study of synthetic U-bearing minerals: Implications for mobility and retention

J Hazard Mater. 2021 Feb 5:403:123914. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123914. Epub 2020 Sep 13.

Authors

Yi Yang¹, Rahul Ram², Scott A McMaster³, Mark I Pownceby¹, Miao Chen⁴

Affiliations

¹ CSIRO Mineral Resources, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia.
² School of Applied Sciences RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia; School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment, Building 28, 9 Rainforest Walk, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia. Electronic address: Rahul.ram@monash.edu.
³ School of Applied Sciences RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia; Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist (ERISS), GPO Box 461, Darwin, NT 0801, Australia.
⁴ CSIRO Mineral Resources, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia; School of Applied Sciences RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia. Electronic address: Miao.Chen@csiro.au.

PMID: 33264966
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123914

Abstract

In this study, the effects of bio-oxidative leaching on several synthetic uranium minerals - Uraninite [UO₂], Pitchblende [U₃O₈], Coffinite [USiO₄], Brannerite [UTi₂O₆] and Betafite [(U,Ca)₂(Ti,Nb,Ta)₂O₇]) compared to chemical leaching in the presence of pyrite was investigated. In all cases, bio-oxidative leaching was faster and increased overall %U extraction compared to chemical leaching. The results indicated that the bio-oxidative leachability of the uranium minerals was in the order: pitchblende≈ uraninite > coffinite>> brannerite > betafite. The leaching of pitchblende and uraninite was fast and complete; U extraction from coffinite was slower over 28 days' during the bioleaching. The use of thermophiles doubled the recovery of U from refractory brannerite. The results highlight the significant capability of bio-leaching in the recovery of U from brannerite; both mesophilic and thermophilic bacteria was found to enhance U recovery likely through enhanced breakdown of the titanate structure. Brannerite is often found in significant quantities within ore tailings due to its refractory nature, which can lead to subsequent release of U into the environment. Conversely, betafite is highly stable in the presence of mesophile and moderate thermophiles, which suggested that betafite materials can be a viable future host for long term storage for spent nuclear fuels.

Keywords: Betafite; Bio-oxidative leaching; Brannerite; Coffinite; Pitchblende; Uraninite.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Minerals
Oxidation-Reduction
Oxidative Stress
Uranium Compounds*
Uranium*

Substances

Minerals
Uranium Compounds
Uranium