Biogeochemical mobility of contaminants from a replica radioactive waste trench in response to rainfall-induced redox oscillations

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dc.contributor.authorKinsela, ASen_AU
dc.contributor.authorBligh, MWen_AU
dc.contributor.authorVázquez-Campos, Xen_AU
dc.contributor.authorSun, Yen_AU
dc.contributor.authorWilkins, MRen_AU
dc.contributor.authorComarmond, MJen_AU
dc.contributor.authorRowling, Ben_AU
dc.contributor.authorPayne, TEen_AU
dc.contributor.authorWaite, TDen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2025-01-09T21:42:32Zen_AU
dc.date.available2025-01-09T21:42:32Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2021-06-10en_AU
dc.date.statistics2024-06-06en_AU
dc.description.abstractResults of investigations into factors influencing contaminant mobility in a replica trench located adjacent to a legacy radioactive waste site are presented in this study. The trench was filled with nonhazardous iron- and organic matter (OM)-rich components, as well as three contaminant analogues strontium, cesium, and neodymium to examine contaminant behavior. Imposed redox/water-level oscillations, where oxygen-laden rainwater was added to the anoxic trench, resulted in marked biogeochemical changes including the removal of aqueous Fe(II) and circulation of dissolved carbon, along with shifts to microbial communities involved in cycling iron (Gallionella,Sideroxydans) and methane generation (Methylomonas,Methylococcaceae). Contaminant mobility depended upon element speciation and rainfall event intensity. Strontium remained mobile, being readily translocated under hydrological perturbations. Strong ion-exchange reactions and structural incorporation into double-layer clay minerals were likely responsible for greater retention of Cs, which, along with Sr, was unaffected by redox oscillations. Neodymium was initially immobilized within the anoxic trenches, due to either secondary mineral (phosphate) precipitation or via the chemisorption of organic- and carbonate-Nd complexes onto variably charged solid phases. Oxic rainwater intrusions altered Nd mobility via competing effects. Oxidation of Fe(II) led to partial retention of Nd within highly sorbing Fe(III)/OM phases, whereas pH decreases associated with rainwater influxes resulted in a release of adsorbed Nd to solution with both pH and OM presumed to be the key factors controlling Nd attenuation. Collectively, the behavior of simulated contaminants within this replica trench provided unique insights into trench water biogeochemistry and contaminant cycling in a redox oscillatory environment. © 2024 American Chemical Society.en_AU
dc.description.sponsorshipThis work was jointly funded by the Australian Research Council Discovery Project DP210103727, as well as the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW). M.R.W. and X.V.C. acknowledge support from the New South Wales State Government RAAP scheme and the UNSW RIS scheme. The authors gratefully acknowledge the wider ANSTO team for excavating the replica trench (ANSTO Asset Management and Services group, principally Matthew Skuse and Adam Weston), site-wide geochemical, logistical advice and fieldwork assistance (particularly Dr. Catherine Hughes, Dr. Dioni Cendon, Stuart Hankin, Chris Dimovski, Jennifer Harrison, Henri Wong, Chris Vardanega, Sangeeth Thiruvoth, Adella Silitonga, Kerry Wilsher, and Dr. Mathew Johansen), as well as members of the ANSTO Safety Assurance Committee, Radiation Protection Advisers and Work Health and Safety team for their expert safety advice on multiple aspects of the trench excavation process. The authors also acknowledge the DNA extractions undertaken by Dr. Miriam Kronen (UNSW).en_AU
dc.format.mediumPrint-Electronicen_AU
dc.identifier.citationKinsela, A. S., Bligh, M. W., Vázquez-Campos, X., Sun, Y., Wilkins, M. R., Comarmond, M. J., Rowling, B., Payne, T. E., & Waite, T. D. (2021). Biogeochemical mobility of contaminants from a replica radioactive waste trench in response to rainfall-induced redox oscillations. Environmental Science & Technology, 55(13), 8793-8805. doi:10.1021/acs.est.1c01604en_AU
dc.identifier.issn0013-936Xen_AU
dc.identifier.issn1520-5851en_AU
dc.identifier.issue13en_AU
dc.identifier.journaltitleEnvironmental Science and Technologyen_AU
dc.identifier.pagination8793-8805en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c01604en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://apo.ansto.gov.au/handle/10238/15877en_AU
dc.identifier.volume55en_AU
dc.languageEnglishen_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherAmerican Chemical Societyen_AU
dc.subjectBiogeochemistryen_AU
dc.subjectContaminationen_AU
dc.subjectRadioactive waste disposalen_AU
dc.subjectOscillationsen_AU
dc.subjectRainen_AU
dc.subjectStrontiumen_AU
dc.subjectCesiumen_AU
dc.subjectNeodymiumen_AU
dc.subjectRain Wateren_AU
dc.subjectImpuritiesen_AU
dc.subjectIronen_AU
dc.subjectMineralsen_AU
dc.subjectRedox reactionsen_AU
dc.subjectWastesen_AU
dc.subjectRadionuclide migrationen_AU
dc.titleBiogeochemical mobility of contaminants from a replica radioactive waste trench in response to rainfall-induced redox oscillationsen_AU
dc.typeJournal Articleen_AU
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