Influence of hydrothermal wood degradation products on the uranium adsorption onto metamorphic rocks and sediments

The influence of highly functionalized saccharic and phenolic polymers that are formed in the process of hydrothermal wood degradation on the uranium(VI) adsorption onto metamorphic rocks and sediments from the Saxon uranium mining sites Schlema-Alberoda and Königstein was investigated in a laboratory study. Uranium(VI) adsorption from a simulated mine water takes place on the majority of rocks and sediments such as granite, gneiss, basalt, sandstone and clay marl. Exceptions are phyllite and clay stone that do not bind any uranium from the mine water. Polymeric wood degradation products such as fragments of celluloses and lignin increase the uranium(VI) adsorption whereas the presence of saccharic and phenolic monomers (vanillic acid and gluconic acid) leads to a lower adsorption.