Uranium geochemistry on the Amazon shelf: Chemical phase partitioning and cycling across a salinity gradient

Abstract:

The size distribution of U was examined in surface waters of the Amazon shelf. Water samples were collected during a low discharge river stage across a broad salinity gradient (0.3-35.4%) and fractionated by planar filtration and tangential-flow ultrafiltration into (1) solution (Us, <10,000 MW; ∼1-10 nm), (2) colloidal (Uc 10,000 MW-0.4 μm), (3) dissolved (Ud, <0.4 μm), and (4) particulate (Up, >0.4 μm) phases. Concentrations of colloidal U comprise up to 92% of the dissolved U fraction at the river mouth and attain highest values (∼0.45 μg/L) in the productive, biogenic region of the Amazon shelf (salinities above ∼20%). Ud and Uc distributions are highly nonconservative relative to ideal dilution of river water and seawater, indicating extensive removal at salinities below ∼10%. The distribution of Us also shows some nonconservative behavior, yet removal, if any, is minimal. Saltwater-induced precipitation and aggregation of riverine colloidal material is most likely the dominant mechanism of U removal in the low salinity, terrigenous region of the Amazon shelf. There is evidence of a substantial colloidal U input (∼245% of the riverine Uc flux into surface waters above 5%. Such Uc enrichment most likely is the result of colloidal U-rich porewater diffusion/advection from the seabed and fluid muds or shelf-wide particle-colloid disaggregation. Removal of solution and dissolved phase U via a colloidal intermediate and Uc aggregation was examined in terms of coagulation theory. The highly reactive nature of all U phases on the Amazon shelf suggests that remobilization and fractionation of U may also occur in other river-influenced coastal environments. © 1995.

Año de publicación:

1995

Keywords:

Fuente:

scopus