The interaction of irradiated fuel with groundwater can lead to the formation of secondary uranyl minerals. The solubility and stability of these uranyl minerals is key in determining the long-term environmental impact of fuel dissolution.Studies have shown that in acidic to neutral aqueous system, studtite, a peroxo uranyl mineral, can form on the surface of irradiated fuel, due to the buildup of hydrogen peroxide produced by radiolysis of water. In similar chemical conditions uranyl peroxide cage clusters have been shown to self assemble in solution. Where uranyl nanoclusters form from a system containing uranyl minerals, the solubility of the minerals will be affected by the aqueous speciation of uranyl in solution as well as by the properties of the nanoclusters. In this presentation we will discuss the extent in which the solubility of U(IV) and U(VI) minerals is impacted by the rapid formation of uranyl peroxide nanoclusters in solution.

Uranyl peroxide nanoclusters formation and their impact on U(VI) and U(IV) mineral solubility

247th National Meeting (2014)

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