Remobilisation of uranium from contaminated freshwater sediments by bioturbation

Benthic macro-invertebrate bioturbation can influence the remobilisation of uranium (U) initially associated with freshwater sediments, resulting in a high release of this pollutant through the overlying water column. Given the potential negative effects on aquatic biocenosis and the global ecologic...

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Main Authors: S. Lagauzère, M. Motelica-Heino, E. Viollier, G. Stora, J. M. Bonzom
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2014-06-01
Series:Biogeosciences
Online Access:http://www.biogeosciences.net/11/3381/2014/bg-11-3381-2014.pdf
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author S. Lagauzère
M. Motelica-Heino
E. Viollier
G. Stora
J. M. Bonzom
author_facet S. Lagauzère
M. Motelica-Heino
E. Viollier
G. Stora
J. M. Bonzom
author_sort S. Lagauzère
collection DOAJ
description Benthic macro-invertebrate bioturbation can influence the remobilisation of uranium (U) initially associated with freshwater sediments, resulting in a high release of this pollutant through the overlying water column. Given the potential negative effects on aquatic biocenosis and the global ecological risk, it appears crucial to improve our current knowledge concerning the biogeochemical behaviour of U in sediments. The present study aimed to assess the biogeochemical modifications induced by <i>Tubifex tubifex</i> (Annelida, Clitellata, Tubificidae) bioturbation within the sediment in order to explain such a release of U. To reach this goal, U distribution between solid and solute phases of a reconstructed benthic system (i.e. in mesocosms) inhabited or not by <i>T. tubifex</i> worms was assessed in a 12-day laboratory experiment. Thanks notably to fine-resolution (mm-scale) measurements (e.g. "diffusive equilibrium in thin-films" DET gel probes for porewater, bioaccumulation in worms) of U and main chemical species (iron, sulfate, nitrate and nitrite), this work (i) confirmed that the removal of bottom sediment particles to the surface through the digestive tract of worms greatly favoured oxidative loss of U in the water column, and (ii) demonstrated that both U contamination and bioturbation of <i>T. tubifex</i> substantially influenced major microbial-driven biogeochemical reactions in sediments (e.g. stimulation of denitrification, sulfate reduction and iron dissolutive reduction). This study provides the first demonstration of biogeochemical modifications induced by bioturbation in freshwater U-contaminated sediments.
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spelling doaj.art-b5dcac08de374599984982db363820a92022-12-22T01:34:42ZengCopernicus PublicationsBiogeosciences1726-41701726-41892014-06-0111123381339610.5194/bg-11-3381-2014Remobilisation of uranium from contaminated freshwater sediments by bioturbationS. Lagauzère0M. Motelica-Heino1E. Viollier2G. Stora3J. M. Bonzom4Laboratoire d'Ecotoxicologie des Radionucléides, Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN)/PRP-ENV/SERIS, Cadarache, Bât. 186 – BP 3, 13115 Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, FranceUniversité d'Orléans, ISTO, UMR7327 CNRS/INSU 1A, rue de la Férollerie, 41071 Orléans Cedex 02, FranceLaboratoire de Géochimie des Eaux, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, UMR7154 CNRS, 75013 Paris, FranceUniversité Aix-Marseille, CNRS/INSU, IRD, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO), UM110,13288 Marseille, FranceLaboratoire d'Ecotoxicologie des Radionucléides, Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN)/PRP-ENV/SERIS, Cadarache, Bât. 186 – BP 3, 13115 Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, FranceBenthic macro-invertebrate bioturbation can influence the remobilisation of uranium (U) initially associated with freshwater sediments, resulting in a high release of this pollutant through the overlying water column. Given the potential negative effects on aquatic biocenosis and the global ecological risk, it appears crucial to improve our current knowledge concerning the biogeochemical behaviour of U in sediments. The present study aimed to assess the biogeochemical modifications induced by <i>Tubifex tubifex</i> (Annelida, Clitellata, Tubificidae) bioturbation within the sediment in order to explain such a release of U. To reach this goal, U distribution between solid and solute phases of a reconstructed benthic system (i.e. in mesocosms) inhabited or not by <i>T. tubifex</i> worms was assessed in a 12-day laboratory experiment. Thanks notably to fine-resolution (mm-scale) measurements (e.g. "diffusive equilibrium in thin-films" DET gel probes for porewater, bioaccumulation in worms) of U and main chemical species (iron, sulfate, nitrate and nitrite), this work (i) confirmed that the removal of bottom sediment particles to the surface through the digestive tract of worms greatly favoured oxidative loss of U in the water column, and (ii) demonstrated that both U contamination and bioturbation of <i>T. tubifex</i> substantially influenced major microbial-driven biogeochemical reactions in sediments (e.g. stimulation of denitrification, sulfate reduction and iron dissolutive reduction). This study provides the first demonstration of biogeochemical modifications induced by bioturbation in freshwater U-contaminated sediments.http://www.biogeosciences.net/11/3381/2014/bg-11-3381-2014.pdf
spellingShingle S. Lagauzère
M. Motelica-Heino
E. Viollier
G. Stora
J. M. Bonzom
Remobilisation of uranium from contaminated freshwater sediments by bioturbation
Biogeosciences
title Remobilisation of uranium from contaminated freshwater sediments by bioturbation
title_full Remobilisation of uranium from contaminated freshwater sediments by bioturbation
title_fullStr Remobilisation of uranium from contaminated freshwater sediments by bioturbation
title_full_unstemmed Remobilisation of uranium from contaminated freshwater sediments by bioturbation
title_short Remobilisation of uranium from contaminated freshwater sediments by bioturbation
title_sort remobilisation of uranium from contaminated freshwater sediments by bioturbation
url http://www.biogeosciences.net/11/3381/2014/bg-11-3381-2014.pdf
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