Uranium in Plants and the Environment

In recent years, radioactive contamination in the environment by uranium (U) and its daughters has caused increasing concerns globally. This book provides recent developments and comprehensive knowledge to the researchers and academicians who are working on uranium contaminated areas worldwide. This book covers topics ranging from the beginning of the nuclear age until today, including historical views and epidemiological studies. Modelling practices and evaluation of radiological and chemical impact of uranium on man and the environment are included. Also covered are analytical methods used for the determination of uranium in geo/bio environments. Some chapters explore factors which influence uranium speciation and in consequence plant uptake/translocation. Last but not least, several chapters provide approaches and practices for remediation of uranium contaminated areas.

Inhalt

1. Preface

2. Uranium in the beginning of the nuclear age: Reflections of the historical role of Jáchymov and early (Czech) epidemiological studies.

3. Assessment modelling and the evaluation of radiological and chemical impacts of uranium on humans and the environment.

4. Legacy of bio-kinetic modelling and risk assessment of uranium in humans.

5. Biogeochemistry of uranium in tropical environments.

6. Uranium and its distribution in typical Belarusian soils.

7. Factors influencing the soil to plant uranium transfer.

8. Uranium translocation in plants and its consequences.

9. Natural plant selection for uranium and remediation.

10. Uranium behaviour in soils and mechanisms of its accumulation in agricultural plants.

11. Uranium transfer from Japanese agricultural soils to crops and the correlations with other elements.

12. Effect of uranium speciation on adsorption in plant.

13. Influence of uranium speciation on the uptake of uranium by plants.

14. The present situation in the world regarding uranium deposits, mining, processing and the use.

15. Assessment of risk to non-human biota in the areas with potentially elevated uranium concentrations in soil.

16. Analytical methods for the determination of uranium in environmental, geological and biological samples.

17. Appendix