Leaching dynamics of uranium in a contaminated soil site

Samples from a potentially contaminated industrial area were analyzed for uranium using neutron activation analysis (NAA). Uranium concentration values had a typical uncertainty of 2 % and a detection limit of 1 Bq/kg. To investigate the potential leaching dynamics into ground water two techniques were employed. The US EPA Toxicity Characterization Leaching Procedure (TCLP) and the Sequential Extraction Procedure (SEP) were used to determine the concentration of uranium in the leachates. TCLP and SEP showed that very little of the uranium leached into solution under different chemical conditions. Values of uranium leachates ranged from 0.05 to 3.5 Bq/L; a concentration much lower than the results found in the soil concentrations which ranged from 29 to 155 Bq/kg. NAA showed an 8 % uncertainty for leachates with a detection limit of 0.13 Bq/L. To mimic environmental conditions and acid rain, pH 4.3 water was used as the extraction solvent instead of the acetic acid routinely used in TCLP. Results confirmed that very low amounts of uranium leached with values ranging from 0.0002 to 0.0122 Bq/L. These values represent 0.01–1 % of the uranium in the soil samples. The distribution of uranium in soil according to particle size was also investigated to evaluate its potential movement and possible contamination of the water table. Particles below 250 μm in diameter showed a linear increase in uranium concentration whereas those with a larger diameter had constant uranium content.     

Syntheses of Unique Bicyclophostones and Unexpected Difference in the Reaction of Lawesson's Reagent vs. P2S5 with Cis-Bicyclophostone (1)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to synthesize trans-l and determine the equilibriurr constant with cis-1. Oniy the synthesis¹ and x-ray structure² of the cis isomer have bcen reported. Four prior synthetic routes to make the vans isomer³ gave only cis product. For example, intrarmolecular ring closure of the cis or trains isomers of 4 (R= (CH₂)₃OH) with LiH or thermal closure of the cis or trans 4 (R= (CH₂)₂) gave only cis-1. Since both iosmers of 1,8-dioxabicyclo[4.4.0] decane are known and readily equilibrate (57% cis and 43% trans), the apparent inaccessibility of trans-1 attracted our attention. Thc preparation of trans-1 was achieved by treatment of cis-1 with Lawesson's reagent (LR) to provide cis-2. followed by oxidation with m-chloroperbenzoic acid/trifluoroacetic acid to give a 5:1 mixture of cis:trans 1, respectively. An unexpected formation of the sulfur analogue of 1 was observed on treatment of cis-1 with P₂S₅/pyridine at reflux temperatures to give a 1.6:1 mixture of cis:trans 3, respectively. Thermal quilibration of 1 at 204°C provided an equilibrium ratio of 99.5% cis and 0.5% of the trans isomer. However, equilibration of 3 at 250°C led to 82.2:17.8 ratio in favor of the cis isomr. These results are consistent with semiemperical MO calculations. The stereochemical outcome on treatment of 4 with LR was also investigated. X-ray structures for six compounds: trans-1, cis-2, cis and trans-3; cis-4 (R=Ph), and cis-5, (R = Ph) wen determined.