Abstract
Uranium (U) is a naturally radioactive element and one of its radioisotopes (235U) is the basis for nuclear fission reactions in electricity generation and nuclear weapons. Uranium has both chemotoxic and radiotoxic properties and is a potential hazard to ecosystems and human health. Concentrations in rocks vary with relatively high concentrations occuring in black shales, coal, phosphorites, certain sandstones and some limestone formations and in the soils derived from them. Groundwaters associated with U-rich rocks can contain elevated concentrations of U. Soil contamination can arise from phosphate fertilisers, U mining, nuclear waste processing, nuclear explosions, coal combustion, disposal of coal ash and civil and military uses of depleted uranium (DU). Unlike iron and manganese which also have cations with more than one valency state, the highest valency U(VI) is most mobile and plant-available. High carbonate concentrations can produce soluble complexes, but reducing conditions cause the formation of insoluble ions, and U is strongly adsorbed in soils and sediments rich in iron oxides and organic matter. Plant availability is generally higher in acid conditions.
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Alloway, B.J. (2013). Uranium. In: Alloway, B. (eds) Heavy Metals in Soils. Environmental Pollution, vol 22. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4470-7_26
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