SREL Reprint #2829

Phytoextraction of uranium and thorium by native trees in a contaminated wetland

T. G. Hinton1, A. S. Knox2, D. I. Kaplan2, and R. Sharitz1

1Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
2Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC 29808, USA

Abstract: 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.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).