Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Uranium - Past and Future Challenges pp 123–130Cite as

Uranium in phosphate fertilizers – review and outlook

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:

Abstract

Uranium (U) can be found in concentrations of 2-200 mg/kg U in phosphate fertilizers if the rock phosphate is of sedimentary origin. About 14,000 tons of U were applied by mineral phosphate fertilizers in Germany from 1951 to 2013. This equals a cumulative load of 1 kg/ha U to agricultural soils. Actually, about 114 to 228 tons of U is distributed by fertilization.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Anonymous (2011) Erste Verordnung zur Änderung der Trinkwasserverordnung vom 3. Mai 2011. Bundesgesetzblatt Jahrgang 2011 Teil 1 Nr. 21, ausgegeben zu Bonn 11. November 2011, 748-774

    Google Scholar 

  • ATSDR (2013) Toxicological profile for uranium. 6. Potential for human exposure. 6.2. Releases to the environment. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK158802/

  • Baumann N, Arnold T, Read D (2008) Uranium ammunition in soil. In: de Kok LJ, Schnug E (2008.), 73-78

    Google Scholar 

  • Beaugelin-Siller K, Février L, Gilbin R, Garnier-Laplace J (2011) Ecotoxicity of uranium in freshwaters: Influence of the physico-chemical status of the rivers. In: Merkel B, Schipek M (eds.) The New Uranium Mining Boom. Challenge and lessons learned. Springer, Berlin, 507-516

    Google Scholar 

  • Birke M, Rauch U (2008) Uranium in stream water of Germany. In: de Kok LJ, Schnug E (2008), 79-91

    Google Scholar 

  • Bertell R, Schmitz-Feuerhake I (2008) Radiological aspects of uranium contamination. In: de Kok LJ, Schnug E (2008), 1-10

    Google Scholar 

  • Busby C, Schnug E (2008) Advanced biochemical and biophysical aspects of uranium contamination. In: de Kok LJ, Schnug E (2008), 11-22

    Google Scholar 

  • de Kok LJ, Schnug E (2008.) Loads and fate of fertilizer-derived uranium. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden. 1-229

    Google Scholar 

  • DüMV (2012) Düngemittelverordnung vom 5. Dezember 2012 (BGBl. I S. 2482). http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bundesrecht/d_mv_2012/gesamt.pdf

  • Garg B (2012) BARC: Uranium cause of Malwa water contamination. The Tribune, Candigarh, India - Main News February 19, 2012; http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120219/main6.htm

  • Gramss G, Voigt K-D, Merten D (2011) Phytoextraction of heavy metals by dominating perennial herbs. In: Merkel B, Schipek M (eds.) The New Uranium Mining Boom. Challenge and lessons learned. Springer, Berlin, 421-431

    Google Scholar 

  • Guttman J (1998) Defining flow systems and groundwater interactions in the multi-aquifer system of the Carmel Coast region. Ph.D. Thesis, Tel Aviv University

    Google Scholar 

  • Haneklaus S, Schnug E (2008) A critical evaluation of phytoextraxtion on uranium-contaminated agricultural soils. In: de Kok LJ, Schnug E (2008), 111-126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haneklaus N, Schnug E, Tulsidas H, Reitsma F (2014) Using high temperature gas-cooled reactors for greenhouse gas reduction and energy neutral production of phosphate fertilizers, Annals of Nuclear Energy (submitted)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassoun R, Schnug E (2011) Contribution of mineral and tap water to the dietary intake of As, B, Cu, Li, Mo, Ni, Pb, U and Zn by humans. In: Merkel B, Schipek M (eds.) The New Uranium Mining Boom. Challenge and lessons learned. Springer, Berlin, 795-804

    Google Scholar 

  • Henner P (2008) Bioaccumulation of radionuclides and induced biological effects in situations of chronic exposure of ecosystems – an uranium case study. In: de Kok LJ, Schnug E (2008), 23-32

    Google Scholar 

  • Heshmati Rafsanjani M, Kratz S, Fleckenstein J, Schnug E (2008) Solubility of uranium in fertilizers. Landbauforschung – vTI / Agriculture and Forestry Research 58, 195-198

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu Z, Zhang H, Wang Y, Haneklaus S, Schnug E (2008) Combining energy and fertilizer production - vision for China’s future. In: de Kok LJ, Schnug E (2008), 127-134

    Google Scholar 

  • Huhle B, Kummer S, Merkel (2008) Mobility of uranium from phosphate fertilizers in sandy soils. In: de Kok LJ, Schnug E (2008), 47-56

    Google Scholar 

  • Imas P, Lati J (2005) Uranium in soils, fertilizers and crops. ICL Fertilizers Israel, 14.05.2005

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaques D, Mallants D, Šimůnek J, Van Genuchten M Th (2008) Modelling the fate of uranium from inorganic phosphorus fertilizer applications. in agriculture. In: de Kok LJ, Schnug E (2008), 57-64

    Google Scholar 

  • KBU (2012) Positionspapier der Kommission Bodenschutz beim Umweltbundesamt: Uran Einträge in landwirtschaftliche Böden durch Düngemittel Umweltbundesamt, Dessau, März 2012

    Google Scholar 

  • Kratz S, Knappe F, Rogasik J, Schnug E (2008). Uranium balances in agroecosystems. In: de Kok LJ, Schnug E (2008), 179-190

    Google Scholar 

  • Kratz S, Godlinski F, Schnug E (2011) Heavy metal loads to agricultural soils in Germany from the application of commercial phosphorus fertilizers and their contribution to background concentration in soils. In: Merkel B, Schipek M (eds.) The New Uranium Min-ing Boom. Challenge and lessons learned. Springer, Berlin, 755-762

    Google Scholar 

  • Lottermoser B (2009) Trace metal enrichment in sugarcane soils due to the long-term application of fertilisers, North Queensland, Australia: geochemical and Pb, Sr, and U isotopic compositions. Australian Journal of Soil Research 47: 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moinester M, Kronfeld J (2014) The radiological impact of using phosphate fertilizers. Third International Conference on Radioecology and Environmental Radioactivity, Barcelona, Sept. 7-12, 2014; http://radioactivity2014.pacifico-meetings.com/

  • Ragheb M (2010) Uranium resources in phosphate rocks. https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/mragheb/www/NPRE%20402%20ME%20405%20Nuclear%20Power%20Engineering/Uranium%20Resources%20in%20Phosphate%20Rocks.pdf

  • Read D, Trueman E, Arnold T, Baumann N (2008) The fate of uranium in phosphate-rich soils. In: de Kok LJ, Schnug E (2008), 65-72

    Google Scholar 

  • Riegel M (2009) Untersuchungen zur Elimination von natürlichen Uranspezies aus Wässern mit Hilfe schwach basischer Anionenaustauscher. Diss. Fakultät für Chemieingenieurwesen und Verfahrenstechnik der Universität Fridericiana Karlsruhe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogasik J, Kratz S, Funder U, Panten K, Barkusky D, Baumecker M, Gutser R, Lausen P, Scherer HW (2008) Uranium in soils of German long-term fertilizer experiments. In: de Kok LJ, Schnug E (2008), 135-146

    Google Scholar 

  • Salminen R (2005) Geochemical Atlas of Europe. Part 1: Background Information, Meth-odology and Maps, Geological Survey of Finland, Espoo; ISBN 951-890-921-3

    Google Scholar 

  • Sattouf M, Kratz S, Diemer K, Fleckenstein J, Rienitz D, Schiel D, Schnug E (2008) Significance of uranium and strontium isotope ratios for retracing the fate of uranium during the processing of phosphate fertilizers from rock phosphates. In: de Kok, LJ, Schnug E (2008), 65-72

    Google Scholar 

  • Schick J, Schroetter S, Lamas M, Rivas M, Kratz S, Schnug E (2008) Soil to plant interface of uranium. In: de Kok LJ, Schnug E (2008), 157-168

    Google Scholar 

  • Schnug E, Birke M, Costa N, Knolle F, Fleckenstein J, Panten K, Lilienthal H, Haneklaus S (2008) Uranium in German mineral and tap waters. In: de Kok, L. J. and Schnug, E. (2008), 91-110

    Google Scholar 

  • Schnug E (2012) Uran in Phosphor-Düngemitteln und dessen Verbleib in der Umwelt. Strahlentelex 612-613:1-8

    Google Scholar 

  • Schnug E, Haneklaus N (2012) Environmental prospects of uranium from mineral phosphates. ATW 57: 750-752

    Google Scholar 

  • Schnug E, Lottermoser BG (2013) Fertilizer-derived uranium and its threat to human health. Environ Sci Technol 47: 2433-2434

    Google Scholar 

  • Setzer S, Julich D, Gäth S (2011) Sorption behavior of uranium in agricultural soils. In: Merkel B, Schipek M (eds.) The New Uranium Mining Boom. Challenge and lessons learned. Springer, Berlin, 579-584

    Google Scholar 

  • Smidt GA, Landes FC, Machado de Carvalho L, Koschinsky A, Schnug E (2011a) Cadmium and Uranium in German and Brazilian Phosphorus Fertilizers. In: Merkel B, Schipek M (eds.) The New Uranium Mining Boom. Challenge and lessons learned. Springer, Berlin: 167-175

    Google Scholar 

  • Smidt GA, Hassoun R, Birke M, Erdinger L, Schäf M, Knolle F, Utermnn J, Duijnisveld HM, Birke M, Schnug E (2011b) Uranium in German tap and groundwater – Occurrence and origins. In: Merkel B, Schipek M (eds.) The New Uranium Mining Boom. Challenge and lessons learned. Springer, Berlin, 807-820

    Google Scholar 

  • Smirnova V S, Gudkov SV, Shtarkman IN, Chernikov AV, Bruskov VI (2005) The genotoxic action of uranyl ions on DNA in vitro caused by the generation of reactive oxygen species. Akademija Nauk SSSR 50: 456-463

    Google Scholar 

  • Takeda A, Tsukada H, Takaku Y, Hisamatsu S, Nanzyo M (2006) Accumulation of uranium derived from long-term fertilizer applications in a cultivated Andisol. Science of the Total Environment 367: 924–931

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor M, Kim N (2008) The fate of uranium contaminants of phosphate fertilizers. In: de Kok LJ, Schnug E (2008), 147-155

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas PA (2008) Food chain transfer of uranium series radionuclides. In: de Kok LJ, Schnug E (2008) 169-178

    Google Scholar 

  • Tunney H, Stojanovic M, Mrdakovic Popic J, McGrath D, Zhang C (2009) Relationship of soil phosphorus with uranium in grassland mineral soils in Ireland using soils from a long term phosphorus experiment and a National soil database. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr 172: 346-352

    Google Scholar 

  • Utermann J, Fuchs, M. (2008) Uranium in German soils. In: de Kok LJ, Schnug E (2008), 33-46

    Google Scholar 

  • Utermann J, Schnug E (2013) Uran - Chemisch-physikalische Eigenschaften. In: Litz N, Wilcke W and Wilke B.-M (Hrsg.) Bodengefährdende Stoffe: Bewertung - Stoffdaten - Ökotoxikologie – Sanierung. WILEY-VCH, 1-32

    Google Scholar 

  • Winde F (2011) Challenges in assessing uranium-related health risks: two case studies for the aquatic exposure pathway from South Africa - Part I: Guideline and toxicity issues and the Pfadder case study. In: Merkel B, Schipek M (eds.) The New Uranium Mining Boom. Challenge and lessons learned. Springer, Berlin, 529-538

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu W-M, Carley J, Green S J, Luo J, Kelly SD, van Nostrand J, Lowe K, Mehlhorn T, Caroll S, Boonchayanant B, Löffler FE, Watson D, Kemner KM, Zhou J, Kitanidis PK, Kostka JE, Jardine PM, Criddle C (2010) Effects of nitrate on the stability of uranium in a bioreduced region of the subsoil. Environ Sci Technol 44: 5104–5111

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Technical University Braunschweig - Faculty 2 Life Sciences, Pockelsstrasse 14, 38106, Brunswick, Germany

    Ewald Schnug

  2. Section of Nuclear Power Technology Development, Division of Nuclear Power, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna International Centre, PO Box 100, 1400, Vienna, Austria

    Nils Haneklaus

Authors
  1. Ewald Schnug
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nils Haneklaus
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Geology, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, Germany

    Broder J. Merkel

  2. Geology, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, Germany

    Alireza Arab

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this paper

Cite this paper

Schnug, E., Haneklaus, N. (2015). Uranium in phosphate fertilizers – review and outlook. In: Merkel, B., Arab, A. (eds) Uranium - Past and Future Challenges. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11059-2_14

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation