Journal Article

Natural Remediation of Surface Water Systems Contaminated with Nuclear Waste via Humic Substances in South Ural

Matthies, Michael, Aleksandrova, Olga N, Schulz, Marcus

2010

Overview

Radiological waste disposal and accidents from radionuclide production over several decades have resulted in widespread radioactive contamination of surface water systems in South Ural. Natural attenuation of radioactive contamination of freshwater can be considered as an alternative to manage radioactive materials released into the environment. A management alternative takes advantage of natural remediation processes, especially the binding of radionuclides and their compounds to water body solids via humic substances. The formation of radionuclide complexes with humic acids removes and converts radionuclides to a less hazardous form and is followed by a decrease in radionuclide bioavailability to freshwater biota, especially fish and benthos. Here, we present an investigation and quantification of natural remediation of highly contaminated surface water systems located in South Ural via humic substances. Based on a large set of experimental data, we state that in the surface water systems, humic acids promote the immobilization of radionuclides and thus decrease their bioavailability for fish in the investigated water bodies. We examine the influence of humic substance on the chemical and biological interactions between radionuclides and the environment that has experienced increasing interest concerning the remedial uses of humic materials.

• Publisher: Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands,Springer Netherlands,Springer,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Acids / Applied sciences / Aquatic resources / Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution / Benthos / Binding / Bioavailability / Biological / Biota / Climate Change/Climate Change Impacts / Contamination / Continental surface waters / Earth and Environmental Science / Earth sciences / Earth, ocean, space / Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics / Environment / Environmental cleanup / Environmental impact / Environmental monitoring / Exact sciences and technology / Fish / Freshwater fish / Freshwaters / hazardous waste / Hostages / Humic acid / Humic acids / Hydrogeology / Immobilization / Investigations / Natural attenuation / Natural water pollution / Plutonium / Pollution / Pollution, environment geology / Radioactive contamination / Radioactive materials / Radioactive pollution / Radioactive wastes / Radioisotopes / radionuclides / Refuse and refuse disposal / Remediation / Rivers / Russia / Sediments / Soil Science & Conservation / Statistical analysis / Surface water / Waste disposal / Waste management / Water bodies / Water pollution / Water Quality/Water Pollution / Water treatment and pollution / Water utilities