Uraninite and Fullerene in Atmospheric Particulates
Journal
Environmental Science & Technology
Journal Volume
36
Journal Issue
23
Start Page
4943
End Page
4947
ISSN
0013-936X
1520-5851
Date Issued
2002-10-19
Author(s)
Abstract
Particulates emitted from coal-burning power plants typically contain very small amounts of uranium (<10 ppm). Because of the extremely low concentrations, the form of the uranium has been unknown. Using a variety of advanced electron microscopy techniques, we have identified for the first time nanocrystals of uraninite, UO2+x encapsulated in carbonaceous matter (≤50 nm) similar to fullerene. We have also identified, for the first time, closely associated fullerenes, C60. The "carbon-caged" nanocrystals of uraninite are protected from the immediate oxidation that would lead to increased mobility of uranium in the environment. Still, the presence of uranium in the very fine fraction of atmospheric particulates provides another pathway for radiation exposure.
Subjects
Air Pollutants
Coal
Environmental Monitoring
Fullerenes
Particle Size
Power Plants
Uranium
Electron microscopy
Nanostructured materials
Oxidation
Power plants
Uranium compounds
carbon
coal
fullerene
uranium
power plant
suspended particulate matter
uraninite
air pollutant
air pollution
airborne particle
article
crystal structure
electric power plant
electron microscopy
environment
gas
oxidation
radiation exposure
Radiation exposures
Particles (particulate matter)
Publisher
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Type
journal article