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Fine scale measurement and mapping of uranium in soil solution in soil and plant-soil microcosms, with special reference to depleted uranium

Tandy, Susan ; Brittain, Susan ; Grail, Barry ; Mcleod, Cameron ; Paterson, Eric ; Tomos, A.

In: Plant and Soil, 2013, vol. 368, no. 1-2, p. 471-482

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    Title
    • Fine scale measurement and mapping of uranium in soil solution in soil and plant-soil microcosms, with special reference to depleted uranium
    Author
    • Tandy, Susan. School of Biological Sciences, University of Bangor, Deiniol Road, LL57 2UW, Bangor, UK
    • Brittain, Susan. Department of Chemistry, Centre for Analytical Sciences, University of Sheffield, Dainton Building, S3 7HF, Sheffield, UK
    • Grail, Barry. School of Biological Sciences, University of Bangor, Deiniol Road, LL57 2UW, Bangor, UK
    • Mcleod, Cameron. Department of Chemistry, Centre for Analytical Sciences, University of Sheffield, Dainton Building, S3 7HF, Sheffield, UK
    • Paterson, Eric. The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, AB15 8QH, Aberdeen, UK
    • Tomos, A.. School of Biological Sciences, University of Bangor, Deiniol Road, LL57 2UW, Bangor, UK
    Document Type
    • Postprint
    OAI-PMH Identifier
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:317692
    Summary
    Background and aims: Residues from use of depleted uranium (DU) munitions pose a lasting environmental impact through persistent contamination of soils. Consequently, an understanding of the factors determining the fate of DU in soil is necessary. An understudied factor is the interaction of root exudates with DU. This study describes the use of ‘Single-Cell-Sampling-and-Analysis' (SiCSA) for the first time in soil and investigates the effects of root exudates on DU dissolution. Methods: Soil solutions from soil and plant-soil microcosms containing DU fragments were sampled and analysed using SiCSA and capillary electrophoresis/ICP-MS for organic acids and uranium. Results: Nanolitre volumes of soil solution were sampled and analysed. Soils with DU fragments but no citrate addition showed low uranium concentrations in contrast to those with added citrate. Lupin root exudation gave concentrations up to 8mM citrate and 4.4mM malate in soil solution which solubilised DU fragments yielding transient solution concentrations of up to 30mM. Conclusions: Root exudates solubilise DU giving high localised soil solution concentrations. This should be considered when assessing the environmental risk of DU munitions. The SiCSA method was used successfully in soil for the first time and enables investigations with high spatial and temporal resolution in the rhizosphere. Figure