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Lind, O.C.* ; Tschiersch, J. ; Salbu, B.*

Nanometer-micrometer sized depleted uranium (DU) particles in the environment.

J. Environ. Radioact. 211:106077 (2020)
Publ. Version/Full Text Postprint DOI PMC
Open Access Gold (Paid Option)
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Depleted uranium (DU) is a waste product from uranium enrichment that has several civilian and military applications. Significant amounts of DU in the form of particles or as fragments have been released into the environment as a consequence of military use of DU munitions, of industrial releases and of aircraft accidents. Thus, the present paper summarizes present knowledge on nanometer-micrometer sized depleted uranium (DU) particles collected in areas contaminated with such particles. Analysis of DU particles released to the environment has shown that uranium can be present in different crystalline structures and in different oxidation states. The weathering rates of DU particles and the subsequent remobilization of uranium species are also strongly connected to the oxidation state and crystalline phases of uranium, influencing the mobility and potential ecosystem transfer. Therefore, as has been observed for radioactive particles released from most nuclear events, the characteristics of DU particles can be linked to the source term and the release scenario as well as to environmental transformation processes. Although the radiation dose and radiotoxicity of DU is less than from natural occurring uranium, the mobility of U from oxidized DU and the associated chemical toxicity could be significantly higher than from natural UO2. The present paper summarizes present knowledge on depleted uranium particles identified in the environment.
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Publication type Article: Journal article
Document type Review
Corresponding Author
Keywords Radioactive Particles ; Speciation ; Synchrotron X-ray Based Techniques ; Source Identification; Radioactive Particles; Oxidation-states; Corrosion; Nanoparticles; Penetrators; Soil; Fate; Site; Solubility; Speciation
ISSN (print) / ISBN 0265-931X
e-ISSN 0265-931X
Journal Journal of Environmental Radioactivity
Quellenangaben Volume: 211, Issue: , Pages: , Article Number: 106077 Supplement: ,
Publisher Elsevier
Publishing Place The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford Ox5 1gb, Oxon, England
Non-patent literature Publications
Reviewing status Peer reviewed
Institute(s) Institute of Radiation Medicine (IRM)