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Environmental Radiochemistry Research Group |
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Welcome to the Environmental Radiochemistry Research Group web pages at Loughborough UniversityEnvironmental Radiochemistry Research Group Telephone: +44 (0)1509 222585 The Centre for Environmental Studies within the Department of Chemistry provides a focal point for campus wide teaching and research in environmental issues. The Centre can call upon the experience of long established research groups of international standing. The Environmental Radiochemistry Research Group, led by Peter Warwick, is one such group. Much of the research conducted by the Group is concerned with environmental chemodynamics and concentrates on groundwater and surface water chemistry, particularly on pollutant speciation and mobility through the terrestrial environment. The research work is largely, but not exclusively, centered on the Geochemistry of nuclear waste disposal which, by necessity, requires an interdisciplinary approach to solve this world-wide problem. Much of this research concentrates on: Water chemistry (speciation, stability constants, kinetics, modelling). Since groundwater and surface water movement is a major factor in pollutant and contaminant transport through the terrestrial environment. Current research investigations are concerned with metal interactions with inorganic colloids (silica, iron, manganese and aluminium), low molecular weight natural organics (citrate, acetate etc.), anthropogenic species (EDTA etc.) and naturally occurring organic colloids (humic and fulvic acids). These species may be present in natural waters and many are known to bind metals (and in some cases, organic pollutants) to form water soluble complexes. They are therefore important transport agents through the Geosphere. Factors which affect reactions of metals with these species, such as temperature, pH, ionic strength, competition reactions etc.are under investigation. Surface interactions (metal and metal-complex interactions with mineral and clay surfaces in the presence and absence of humic materials). Since these interactions largely govern the mobility of species present in waters. Kinetics and strengths of surface interactions are studied by batch and column methods. Distribution ratios are measured as a function of pH, temperature, ionic strength etc. Mobility of aqueous species. The mobility of aqueous complexes is studied in column experiments. We have developed methods which allow humic and fulvic acids to be covalently labelled with either 14C or 125I so that the mobility and the interactions of these acids with aquifers and other species present in waters can be studied more easily. Radiolabelled humics have been used in field tests and in laboratory studies. Predictive computer modelling. Safe disposal of radioactive wastes requires predictive computer modelling. We have developed computer codes which allow us to predict formation constants for reactions which are of fundamental importance in estimating radionuclide mobility. Land remediation. Humin (the insoluble organic fraction of soils and peats) is being evaluated to determine its ability to extract and concentrate metals from contaminated land. Much of this research work is carried out in collaboration with UK and European scientists through EC sponsorship. The Group has an International research reputation and collaborates with scientists in many EC and non EC countries Some recent publications: Bryan, N.D., Barlow, J., Warwick, P., Stephens, S., Higgo, J.J.W. and Griffin, D., ''The simultaneous modelling of metal ion and humic substance transport in column experiments'', Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 73, 2005, 196-202, ISSN 14640325. Warwick, P. (ed), Environmental Radiochemical Analysis III, The Royal Society of Chemistry, 2007, pp 1-216, ISSN: 978-0-85404-263-0. P. Warwick, S. Aldridge, N. Evans and S. Vines. “The Solubility of Technetium(IV) at High pH“. Radiochimica Acta, 2007, 95, pp 709-716. A comprehensive publications list can be found at: |
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