Uranium behaviour in an estuary polluted by mining and industrial effluents: The R¨ªa of Huelva (SW of Spain)
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- 作者：A. Hierro ; J.E. Mart¨ªn ; M. Ol¨ªas ; F. Vaca ; J.P. Bolivar
- 关键词：Tinto&ndash ; Odiel estuary ; Water mixing ; Non-conservative uranium ; 234U/238U activity ratio ; Seasonal behaviour ; Adsorption&ndash ; desorption ; Partition coefficient
- 刊名：Water Research
- 出版年：2013
- 出版时间：15 October, 2013
- 年：2013
- 卷：47
- 期：16
- 页码：6269-6279
- 全文大小：2207 K
文摘
This paper describes a comprehensive study of the behaviour of U in the R¨ªa of Huelva estuary, formed by the Tinto and Odiel rivers. This ecosystem is conditioned by two hydrochemical facts: one connected with the acid mining drainage (AMD) generated in the first section of the river basins, and another one related to the fertilizer industry located at the estuary. AMD gives a singular character to these rivers; low pH and high redox potential that keep high amounts of toxic elements and radionuclides in dissolution. Most of the data for dissolved U in estuaries indicate conservative mixing, but there are examples of non-conservative behaviour attributed to oxidation/reduction processes or solubility variations. In the R¨ªa of Huelva estuary the U shows a non-conservative behaviour due to solubility changes produced by variations in the pH. A complete removal of riverine dissolved U is observed in a pH range of 4-6. At higher pH values, U release from suspended matter, and probably also from sediments into the dissolved phase is found.