Formation of aqueous MgUO2(CO3)3(2-) complex and uranium anion exchange mechanism onto an exchange resin

Environ Sci Technol. 2008 Mar 15;42(6):1979-83. doi: 10.1021/es0711563.

Abstract

The formation of and stability constants for aqueous Mg-UO2-CO3 complexes were determined using an anion exchange method. Magnesium concentration was varied (up to 20 mmol/L) at constant ionic strength (I = 0.101, 0.202, 0.304, 0.406, and 0.509 mol/kg NaNO3), pH 8.1, total [U(VI)] = 10.4 micromol/L under equilibrium with atmospheric CO2. The results indicate that only the MgUO2(CO3)3(2-) complex is formed. The cumulative formation constant extrapolated to zero ionic strength is similar regardless of the activity correction convention used: logbeta113(0) = 25.8 +/- 0.5 using the Davies equation and = 25.02 +/- 0.08 using specific ion interaction theory (SIT). Uranium sorption onto the exchange resin decreased in the presence of Mg putatively due to the formation of MgUO2(CO3)3(2-) that had a lower affinity for the resin than UO2(CO3)3(4-). Uranium sorption results are consistent with an equivalent anion exchange reaction between NO3- and UO2(CO3)3(4-) species to retain charge neutrality regardless of Mg concentration. No Mg was associated with the anion exchange resin indicating that the MgUO2(CO3)3(2-) complex did not sorb.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Anion Exchange Resins / chemistry*
  • Carbonates / chemistry*
  • Magnesium / chemistry*
  • Resins, Synthetic / chemistry*
  • Uranium Compounds / chemistry*

Substances

  • Anion Exchange Resins
  • Carbonates
  • Resins, Synthetic
  • Uranium Compounds
  • Amberlite IRA 410
  • Magnesium
  • uranium dioxide