Jana, A., Unni, A., Ravuru, S. S., Das, A., Das, D., Biswas, S., et al. (2022). In-situ polymerization into the basal spacing of LDH for selective and enhanced uranium adsorption: A case study with real life uranium alkaline leach liquor. Chemical Engineering Journal, 428, 131180.
Abstract: Uranium is used as a fuel for nuclear power plant and can be extracted from different ores, mainly acidic (silicious ore) and alkaline (carbonate ore). Recovery of uranium through acid leaching from silicious ore is well established, whereas, alkaline leaching from carbonate ore is challenging due to the excessive salinity of leach liquor and high concentration of carbonate, bicarbonate and sulphate. Herein, two monomers, acrylic acid (AA) and N, N-methylene bisacrylamide (BAM), selective towards uranyl were intercalated in-situ into the interlayer, followed by their polymerization and cross-linking to form novel polymer intercalated hybrid layered double hydroxide (LDH). The LDH acts as a backbone to overcome coiling and swelling of polymer and anchors them as free-standing. Various parameters, like, the type of metal ions, monomer ratio (AA: BAM) and metal ion ratio (M2+:M3+), were studied to determine the optimum conditions for effective intercalation and polymerization of monomers. Magnesium aluminum (MgAl) LDH with a cross-linked polymer having a monomer ratio of 3:2 (AA: BAM) as intercalating species showed maximum efficiency of uranyl adsorption (1456 mg/g at 30 °C) with highest capacity so far. The distribution coefficient (Kd, l/mg) in the order of 105 suggested that the adsorbent was highly selective for uranyl in the presence of different cations, anions and humic acid. The adsorbent extracts uranium effectively and selectively from a real-life alkaline leach liquor with an efficiency of 96% at 5 g/l dose. Uranium can be recovered from the adsorbent in the form of sodium di-uranate using 2(M) NaOH and was reused for eight cycles.
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Lach, P., Cathelineau, M., Brouand, M., & Fiet, N. (2015). In-situ Isotopic and Chemical Study of Pyrite from Chu-Sarysu (Kazakhstan) Roll-front Uranium Deposit. Procedia Earth and Planetary Science, 13, 207–210.
Abstract: Pyrite is common in roll-front type uranium deposit in Chu-sarysu basin, Kazakhstan. Combined in-situ microstructural, isotopic and chemical analysis of pyrite indicates variation in precipitation conditions and in fluid composition. Broad-scale δ34S heterogeneity indicates a complex multi-facet evolution. First generation authigenic framboïdal aggregates are biogenic as demonstrated by the lowest δ34S values of -48‰ to -28‰. The latest generation pyrites are probably hydrothermal with greater δ34S variation (-30‰ to +12‰). This hydrothermal pyrite commonly displays variable enrichment of several trace elements especially As, Co and Ni. Strong variation in δ34S values and variable trace element enrichment is interpreted in terms of continuous variations in fluid composition.
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Uhrie, J. L., Drever, J. I., Colberg, P. J. S., & Nesbitt, C. C. (1996). In situ immobilization of heavy metals associated with uranium leach mines by bacterial sulfate reduction. Hydrometallurgy, 43(1), 231–239.
Abstract: Laboratory experiments with mixed populations of sulfate-reducing bactreria were shown to mediate the removal of milligrams/liter concentrations of uranium, selenium, arsenic and vanadium from aqueous solution via reduction, precipitation and adsorption. Results of laboratory experiments with active sulfidogenic biomass suggest that injection of sulfate and a source of carbon could enhance anaerobic microbial activity in and around uranium leach mines leading to in situ immobilization contaminating metals.
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de Jong, I. J. H., Arif, S. S., Gollapalli, P. K. R., Neelam, P., Nofal, E. R., Reddy, K. Y., et al. (2021). Improving agricultural water productivity with a focus on rural transformation*. Irrigation and Drainage, 70(3), 458–469.
Abstract: ABSTRACT As a result of population growth, economic development and climate change, feeding the world and providing water security will require important changes in the technologies, institutions, policies and incentives that drive present-day water management, as captured in Goal 6.4 of the Millennium Development Goals. Irrigation is the largest and most inefficient water user, and there is an expectation that even small improvements in agricultural water productivity will improve water security. This paper argues that improvements in irrigation water productivity involves a complex and comprehensive rural transformation that goes beyond mere promotion of water saving technologies. Many of the measures to improve water productivity require significant changes in the production systems of farmers and in the support provided to them. Looking forward, water use and competition over water are expected to further increase. By 2025, about 1.8 billion people will be living in regions or countries with absolute water scarcity. Demand for water will rise exponentially, while supply becomes more erratic and uncertain, prompting the need for significant shifts of inter-sectoral water allocation to support continued economic growth. Advances in the use of remote sensing technologies will make it increasingly possible to cost-effectively and accurately estimate crop evapotranspiration from farmers’ fields.
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Custódio, D. A., & Ghisi, E. (2023). Impact of residential rainwater harvesting on stormwater runoff. Journal of Environmental Management, 326, 116814.
Abstract: Population increase, climate change and soil impermeability are factors causing floods in large urban centres. Such places also always have water shortage problems. This research aims to evaluate the influence of rainwater harvesting in residential buildings on stormwater in a basin located in southern Brazil (Rio Cachoeira Basin). Urbanised and non-urbanised areas, soil types, curve numbers and time of concentration of each sub-basin were taken into account. Through the HEC-HMS programme, it was possible to calculate hydrographs for the base scenario (when there is no rainwater harvesting). Then, rainwater tanks for the residential buildings were sized using the computer programme Netuno. In the second scenario, there is rainwater harvesting in all residential buildings. Thus, the hydrographs for the second scenario were also calculated. The peak flow reduction potentials for the sub-basins ranged from 2.7% to 14.3%. The highest percentage (14.3%) did not occur in the sub-basin with the most extensive roof area; such highest peak flow reduction occurred in Bom Retiro sub-basin. In Bom Retiro sub-basin, there are more houses than multi-storey residential buildings. Even when considering the full potential of rainwater harvesting for roof areas of all existing buildings in the Rio Cachoeira Basin, the average potential reduction in peak flow was 7.2%. The conclusion is that rainwater tanks in residential buildings have little influence on stormwater runoff, and the stormwater runoff will be less affected when the area of the hydrographic basin is larger. Thus, the reduction in peak flows is insignificant when considering the flooding in the region.
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