Phytoextraction of uranium and thorium by native trees in a contaminated wetland
T. G. Hinton,1 A. S. Knox,2 D. I. Kaplan,2
R. Sharitz1
1Savannah River Ecologly' Laboratory, University of Georgia,
Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
2Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC 29808, USA
(Received April 6, 2004)
The phytoremediation potential of native trees in a U and Th contaminated
wetland was examined. Based on measurements of the annual biomass of leaves
and their contaminant concentrations, we estimated the reduction in soil
contamination over time. Significant differences among tree species were
found, with tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) and sweetgum (Liquidambar
styraciflua) having a significantly greater capacity to remove U
and Th from the soil than the other tree species. More U was phytoextracted
than Th from the site. Phytoextractionrate constants were developed and
revealed that although U and Th phytoextraction was exceptionally high
at the site, an order of magnitude greater than predicted, the community
of native trees would lower the soil inventory of 238U and
232Th by only 1% over the next 100 years.
SREL Reprint #2829
Hinton, T. G., A. S. Knox, D. I. Kaplan and R. Sharitz. 2005. Phytoextraction of uranium and thorium by native trees in a contaminated wetland. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 264:417-422.
