Mechanism of Uranium Fixation by Zero Valent Iron: The Importance of Co-precipitation

Abstract

The co-pptn. of U (VI) with iron corrosion products from aq. solns. by zero valent iron was studied. The evidence of copptn. was demonstrated by conducting expts. with well characterized scrap iron, pyrite and a mixt. of both materials with exptl. durations of up to four months. Under anoxic conditions only less than one tenth of the immobilized U(VI) was assocd. with the surface of scrap iron, whereas the remaining amt. is entrapped in aging corrosion products.