Biogeochemical Factors of Cs, Sr, U, Pu Immobilization in Bottom Sediments of the Upa River, Located in the Zone of Chernobyl Accident

Simple Summary Strong fixation of Sr, U, and Pu in river bottom sediments can occur under conditions of sufficiently high N, P, S concentrations. In consequence, this environment facilitates active phytoplankton growth and the formation of biogenic minerals. These conditions can be achieved by adding the necessary nutritive components to the water and bottom sediments of polluted water bodies. Laboratory modeling of Cs, Sr, U, Pu immobilization by phytoplankton of the river Upa, affected after the Chernobyl accident, has been carried out. Certain conditions are selected for strong fixation of radionuclides in bottom sediments due to biogeochemical processes. The process of radionuclide removal from the water phase via precipitation was based on their accumulation by phytoplankton, stimulated by nitrogen and phosphorus sources. After eight days of stimulation, planktonic phototrophic biomass, dominated by cyanobacteria of the genus Planktothrix, appears in the water sample. The effectiveness of U, Pu and Sr purification via their transfer to bottom sediment was observed within one month. The addition of ammonium sulfate and phosphate (Ammophos) led to the activation of sulfate- and iron-reducing bacteria of the genera Desulfobacterota, Desulfotomaculum, Desulfosporomusa, Desulfosporosinus, Thermodesulfobium, Thiomonas, Thiobacillus, Sulfuritallea, Pseudomonas, which form sulphide ferrous precipitates such as pyrite, wurtzite, hydrotroillite, etc., in anaerobic bottom sediments. The biogenic mineral composition of the sediments obtained under laboratory conditions was verified via thermodynamic modeling.

Automated summary

High concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur can result in strong fixation of strontium, uranium, and plutonium in river bottom sediments, promoting phytoplankton growth and biogenic mineral formation. This can be achieved by adding necessary nutrients to polluted water bodies.