Characterization of Colloid-Borne Actinides by Flow Field-Flow Fractionation (FlFFF) Multidetector Analysis (MDA)

Abstract

The flow field-flow fractionation (FlFFF) method coupled with multi detector analytical (MDA) techniques is a powerful method for the characterization of colloid-borne actinides. The present paper summarizes the different techniques available and detection systems currently hyphenated to FlFFF. A review of the FlFFF–MDA applications to the characterization of colloid-borne actinides is presented. It comprises studies on actinide interactions with natural organic matter, bacteria cells, inorganic colloids (iron oxi/hydroxides, clays), and includes actinide speciation in colloid-containing natural systems (deep or surface groundwaters, lake, river, or creek waters) or in sediments from contaminated areas (nuclear material production and (re)processing facilities, nuclear test sites, etc.). The use of FlFFF–MDA allows the identification of the heterogeneities in colloidal matter of unknown composition, the quantification of the actinide associations with diverse colloidal material/nanoparticles and the gaining of mechanistic insight into actinide colloid/nanoparticle-binding modes.