Marine Exopolysaccharide Complexed With Scandium Aimed as Theranostic Agents.

(1) Background: Exopolysaccharide (EPS) derivatives, produced by Alteromonas infernus bacterium, showed anti-metastatic properties. They may represent a new class of ligands to be combined with theranostic radionuclides, such as 47Sc/44Sc. The goal of this work was to investigate the feasibility of such coupling. (2) Methods: EPSs, as well as heparin used as a drug reference, were characterized in terms of molar mass and dispersity using Asymmetrical Flow Field-Flow Fractionation coupled to Multi-Angle Light Scattering (AF4-MALS). The intrinsic viscosity of EPSs at different ionic strengths were measured in order to establish the conformation. To determine the stability constants of Sc with EPS and heparin, a Free-ion selective radiotracer extraction (FISRE) method has been used. (3) Results: AF4-MALS showed that radical depolymerization produces monodisperse EPSs, suitable for therapeutic use. EPS conformation exhibited a lower hydrodynamic volume for the highest ionic strengths. The resulting random-coiled conformation could affect the complexation with metal for high concentration. The LogK of Sc-EPS complexes have been determined and showing that they are comparable to the Sc-Hep. (4) Conclusions: EPSs are very promising to be coupled with the theranostic pair of scandium for Nuclear Medicine.

Influence of Alkaline Earth Metal Ions on Structures and Luminescent Properties of NamMnUO2(CO3)3(4-m-2n)- (M = Mg, Ca; m, n = 0-2): Time-Resolved Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Ab Initio Studies.

The luminescence spectra of triscarbonatouranyl complexes were determined by experimental and theoretical methods. Time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy was used to monitor spectra of uranyl and bicarbonate solutions at 0.1 mol kgw-1 ionic strength and pH ca. 8. The concentrations of Mg2+ and Ca2+ in the samples were chosen in order to vary the proportions of the alkaline earth ternary uranyl complexes MgUO2(CO3)32-, CaUO2(CO3)32-, and Ca2UO2(CO3)3. The luminescence spectrum of each complex was determined by decomposition in order to compare it with the simulated spectra of model structures NamMnUO2(CO3)3(4-m-2n)- (M = Mg, Ca; m, n = 0-2) obtained by quantum chemical methods. The density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent (TD)-DFT methods were used with the PBE0 functional to optimize the structures in the ground and excited states, respectively, including relativistic effects at the spin-free level, and water solvent effects using a continuum polarizable conductor model. The changes in the structural parameters were quantified with respect to the nature and the amount of alkaline earth counterions to explain the luminescence spectra behavior. The first low-lying excited state was successfully computed, together with the vibrational harmonic frequencies. The DFT calculations confirmed that uranyl luminescence originates from electronic transitions from one of the four nonbonding 5f orbitals of uranium to an orbital that has a uranyl-σ (5f, 6d) character mixed with the 2p atomic orbitals of the carbonate oxygens. Additional single-point calculations using the more accurate TD-DFT/CAM-B3LYP allow one to determine the position of the luminescence "hot band" for each structure in the range 467-476 nm and compared fairly well with experimental reports at around 465 nm. The complete luminescence spectra were built from theoretical results with the corresponding assignment of the electronic transitions and vibronic modes involved, mainly the U-Oax stretching mode. The resulting calculated spectra showed a very good agreement with experimental band positions and band spacing attributed to MgUO2(CO3)32-, CaUO2(CO3)32-, and Ca2UO2(CO3)3. The evolution of luminescence intensities with the number of alkaline earth metal ions in the structure was also correctly reproduced.

Evidence of isotopic fractionation of natural uranium in cultured human cells.

The study of the isotopic fractionation of endogen elements and toxic heavy metals in living organisms for biomedical applications, and for metabolic and toxicological studies, is a cutting-edge research topic. This paper shows that human neuroblastoma cells incorporated small amounts of uranium (U) after exposure to 10 µM natural U, with preferential uptake of the 235U isotope with regard to 238U. Efforts were made to develop and then validate a procedure for highly accurate n(238U)/n(235U) determinations in microsamples of cells. We found that intracellular U is enriched in 235U by 0.38 ± 0.13‰ (2σ, n = 7) relative to the exposure solutions. These in vitro experiments provide clues for the identification of biological processes responsible for uranium isotopic fractionation and link them to potential U incorporation pathways into neuronal cells. Suggested incorporation processes are a kinetically controlled process, such as facilitated transmembrane diffusion, and the uptake through a high-affinity uranium transport protein involving the modification of the uranyl (UO22+) coordination sphere. These findings open perspectives on the use of isotopic fractionation of metals in cellular models, offering a probe to track uptake/transport pathways and to help decipher associated cellular metabolic processes.

Eu(III)-Fulvic Acid Complexation: Evidence of Fulvic Acid Concentration Dependent Interactions by Time-Resolved Luminescence Spectroscopy.

Europium speciation is investigated by time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy (TRLS) in the presence of Suwannee River fulvic acid (SRFA). From complexation isotherms built at different total Eu(III) concentrations, pH values, ionic strength, and SRFA concentrations, it appears that two luminescence behaviors of Eu(III) are occurring. The first part, at the lowest CSRFA values, is showing the typical luminescence evolution of Eu(III) complexed by humic substances--that is, the increase of the asymmetry ratio between the (5)D0 → (7)F2 and (5)D0 → (7)F1 transitions up to a plateau--, and the occurrence of a biexponential decay--the first decay being faster than free Eu(3+). At higher CSRFA, a second luminescence mode is detected as the asymmetry ratio is increasing again after the previous plateau, and could correspond to the formation of another type of complex, and/or it can reflect a different spatial organization of complexed europium within the SRFA structure. The luminescence decay keeps on evolving but link to hydration number is not straightforward due to quenching mechanisms. The Eu(III) chemical environment evolution with CSRFA is also ionic strength dependent. These observations suggest that in addition to short-range interactions--intraparticulate complexation--, there might be interactions at longer range--interparticulate repulsion--between particles that are complexing Eu(III) at high CSRFA. These interactions are not yet accounted by the different complexation models.

Predominance of the alkaline earth(II) triscarbonatoactinyl(VI) complexes in different geochemical contexts: Review of existing data and estimation of potentially unidentified species.

From the available thermodynamic data in the literature, a review of the impact of the formation of complexes between triscarbonatoactinyl(VI) and alkaline earth(II) (Ae) is estimated under varying conditions. First, after analyzing the literature data and using the ascertained thermodynamic data available from the commissioned reviews from the Nuclear Energy Agency (Organization for the Economic Cooperation and Development) Thermochemical DataBank Project on actinides (An) U, Np, and Pu, and from recently determined AenUO2(CO3)3(4-2n)- thermodynamic functions, the formation of AenAnO2(CO3)3(4-2n)- complexes for Pu(VI) and Np(VI) are estimated using linear free energy relationships (LFERs). The data are in good agreement with the sole determination of AePuO2(CO3)32- from Jo et al. (Dalton Trans. 49, 11605), which gives a relative confidence in the LFERs, and allows the application to actual situations. From existing uranium data, first, the impact of the origin of the data on the calculated predominance is addressed under 0.1 M NaCl and atmospheric CO2(g); second, the influence of ionic strength and salinity on predominance is estimated; and finally, the influence of temperature up to 50 °C on the solubility of uraninite in a deep geological radioactive waste storage or disposal site is calculated. For neptunium and plutonium, the impact of the potential log10ß°(AenAnO2(CO3)3(4-2n)-) on Pourbaix diagrams of Pu and Np in Mg-Ca-CO3 media are estimated from Jo et al. (Dalton Trans. 49, 11605) and LFERs. Finally, the application to the speciation of Pu and Np in seawater is proposed.

Implications of recently derived thermodynamic data and specific ionic interaction theory parameters for (Mg/Ca)nUO2(CO3)3(4-2n)- complexes on the predominance of the Mg2+-Ca2+-UO22+-OH--CO32- systems, and application to natural and legacy-mine waters.

The formation of alkaline earth(II)triscarbonatouranyl(VI) (AenUO2(CO3)3(4-2n)-) species that have been evidenced both in laboratory and in-field studies, is important from slightly acidic pH up to near degraded cementitious in carbonated waters. They are also showing distinctive luminescence properties with a hypsochromic shift relative to UO22+. The conditions of pH, activities of alkaline earth(II) free ions (mostly Mg2+ and Ca2+) and carbonate ions (HCO3-) can be predicted from the thermodynamic functions and constants. The predictive validity of the activity of major alkaline ions (mostly Na+) is determined from the models used to describe the ionic strength comportment of these species, particularly using coefficients from the specific ion interaction theory (SIT). The stability domains of these species are better defined as a function of the activity of the constituents, and applied to natural waters. In this work, using recently obtained complete thermodynamic data and SIT coefficients, we will draw the stability domains of the AenUO2(CO3)3(4-2n)- species in combinations of activities of H+, HCO3-, Mg2+, Ca2+, and Na+ for a wide selection of water compositions from the literature. Water samples were collected near a French mining legacy-site (Site du Bosc, Lodève, France). After determining the major ion compositions, we will verify that the luminescence signal of uranium is in agreement with the predicted speciation in the stability domains.

Radiolysis effect on Eu(III)-superplasticiser interactions in artificial cement and squeezed cement pore waters.

In the framework of the French deep geological repository for radioactive waste, cement-based materials are envisaged to immobilize radionuclides and/or provide protection from radiation to the environment. Superplasticisers (SPs) are added to these materials to increase their workability. SPs will undergo degradation by coupled radiolytic and hydrolytic effects in the pore solution leading to the formation of potentially complexing degradation products. The objective was to study the potential effect of radiolyzed superplasticizers contained in cement-based materials on radionuclide uptake. The Eu speciation and solubility with organic ligands resulting from the degradation of SPs were studied for the two solutions and the results were compared. Two different SPs were selected, a polycarboxylate ether and a polynapthalene sulfonate. Two different protocols were followed: direct irradiation of the solution containing the superplasticizer, and irradiation of the compacted cement sample followed by extraction of the pore water. Solubility enhancements observed in artificial cement waters are not representative of real cement pore water interactions, in agreement with other studies. Finally, the effects of alkaline hydrolysis and radiolysis of SPs on Eu solubility in pore water are limited.

Time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy and chemometrics for fast identification of U(VI)-bearing minerals in a mining context.

We evaluated the potential of time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) combined with chemometric methods for fast identification of U(VI)-bearing minerals in a mining context. We analyzed a sample set which was representative of several environmental conditions. The set consisted of 80 uranium-bearing samples related to mining operations, including natural minerals, minerals with uranium sorbed on the surface, and synthetic phases prepared and characterized specifically for this study. The TRLF spectra were processed using the Ward algorithm and the K-nearest neighbors (KNN) method to reveal similarities between samples and to rapidly identify the uranium-bearing phase and the associated mineralogical family. The predictive models were validated on an independent dataset, and then applied to test samples mostly taken from U mill tailings. Identification results were found to be in accordance with the available characterization data from X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX). This work shows that TRLFS can be an effective decision-making tool for environmental investigations or geological prospection, considering the large diversity of uranium-bearing mineral phases and their low concentration in environmental samples.

Colloidal α-Al2O3 Europium(III) and humic substances interactions: a macroscopic and spectroscopic study.

Eu(III) sorption onto α-Al(2)O(3) in the presence of purified Aldrich humic acid (PAHA) is studied by batch experiments and time-resolved laser-induced luminescence spectroscopy of Eu(III). Experiments are conducted at varying pH, at 0.1 mol/L NaClO(4), 10(-6) mol/L Eu(III), 1 g/L α-Al(2)O(3) and 28 mg/L PAHA, which assured a complete Eu(III)-PAHA complexation. Adsorption of Eu(III) presents the expected pH-edge at 7, which is modified by addition of PAHA. Presence of Eu(III) slightly increases PAHA sorption throughout the pH range. The evolutions of luminescence spectra and decay times of the binary systems, that is, Eu(III)/α-Al(2)O(3) and Eu(III)/PAHA, indicate a progressive surface- and humic-complexation with increasing pH. The typical biexponential luminescence decay in Eu(III)/PAHA system is also recorded; the fastest deactivation depending barely on pH. In ternary Eu(III)/PAHA/α-Al(2)O(3) system, the existence of a luminescence biexponential decay for all pH means that Eu(III) is always in the direct neighborhood of the humic substance. Below pH 7, the spectra of the ternary system (Eu(III)/PAHA/α-Al(2)O(3)) are not different from the ones of Eu(III)/PAHA system, implying the same complex symmetry. Nevertheless, the increase of luminescence decay time points to a change in PAHA conformation onto the surface.

Effect of temperature on the complexation of triscarbonatouranyl(VI) with calcium and magnesium in NaCl aqueous solution.

The complex formation of triscarbonatouranyl(VI) UO2(CO3)34- with the alkaline earth metal ions Mg2+ and Ca2+ in 0.10 mol kgw-1 NaCl was studied at variable temperatures: 5-30 °C for Mg2+ and 10-50 °C for Ca2+. Under appropriate conditions, the ternary complexes (MnUO2(CO3)3(4-2n)- with n = 1 for Mg, n = {1; 2} for Ca) were identified by time-resolved laser-induced luminescence spectrometry. Their pure spectral components at 50 °C for CanUO2(CO3)3(4-2n)- and 30 °C for MgUO2(CO3)32- were recovered by multivariate curve resolution alternating least-squares analysis. Approximation models were tested to fit the experimental data-the equilibrium constants of complexation measured at different temperatures-and deduce the thermodynamic functions, i.e., enthalpy, entropy, and heat capacity. The weak influence of temperature on complexation constants induces large uncertainties in terms of thermodynamic functions. Assuming the enthalpy is constant with temperature using the Van't Hoff equation, the first stepwise complexation of UO2(CO3)34- by Ca2+ is estimated to be slightly endothermic, with , while the second stepwise complexation of CaUO2(CO3)32- by Ca2+ with is slightly exothermic, . In contrast to Ca2+, the complexation of UO2(CO3)34- by Mg2+ is slightly exothermic, with . These values are not significantly different from zero inasmuch as the uncertainties are important due to a weak dependence of log10 K° values. The entropic character of the complexation is verified as for the first stepwise complexation of UO2(CO3)34- by Ca2+, for the second stepwise complexation of CaUO2(CO3)32- by Ca2+, and for the complexation of UO2(CO3)34- by Mg2+. The energetics of complexation and sensitivity analysis of the model estimates with temperature are discussed. The uranium speciation in the case of the safety of nuclear waste management, using the present thermodynamic functions, provides support to the assessment of underground nuclear waste repositories.

The determination of the thermodynamic constants of MgUO2(CO3)32- complex in NaClO4 and NaCl media by time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy, and applications in different geochemical contexts.

The formation constants and specific ion interaction coefficients of MgUO2(CO3)32- complex were determined in 0.1 to 1.0 mol kgw-1 NaCl and 0.10 to 2.21 mol kgw-1 NaClO4 media in the framework of the specific ion interaction theory (SIT), by time-resolved laser-induced luminescence spectroscopy. The upper limits of ionic strength were chosen in order to limit luminescence quenching effects generated by high concentrations of Cl- and ClO4- already observed during our earlier studies on CanUO2(CO3)3(4-2n)- complexes (Shang & Reiller, Dalton Trans., 49, 466; Shang et al., Dalton Trans., 49, 15443). The cumulative formation constant determined is , and the specific ion interaction coefficients are ε(MgUO2(CO3)32-, Na+) = 0.19 ± 0.11 kgw mol-1 in NaClO4 and ε(MgUO2(CO3)32-, Na+) = 0.09 ± 0.16 kgw mol-1 in NaCl. Two gratings of 300 and 1800 lines per mm were used to acquire MgUO2(CO3)32- luminescence spectra, where the high-resolution 1800 lines per mm grating detected slight spectral shifts for the principal luminescent bands relative to CanUO2(CO3)3(4-2n)-. The applications of the consistent set of thermodynamic constants and ε values for MnUO2(CO3)3(4-2n)- (M = Mg and Ca) were examined in different geochemical contexts, where Mg over Ca concentration ratio varies to help defining the relative importance of these species.

Complexation of europium(III) with exopolysaccharides from a marine bacterium envisaged as luminescent probe in a theranostic approach.

Exopolysaccharide (EPS) derivatives, produced by Alteromonas infernus bacterium, showed anti-metastatic properties in osteosarcoma (bone tumor). These EPSs could be employed as new drug delivery systems for therapeutic uses. They may represent a new class of ligands to be combined in a theranostic approach with fluorescent metals, such as Eu(III), to serve as imaging probe. The goal of this work was to investigate the feasibility of such coupling by time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). Since these EPSs are polyelectrolytes their conformation could affect the complexation properties. Thus, viscosimetric measurements were performed as a function of their concentration as well as the background electrolyte concentration. Polysaccharides conformation exhibited a lower hydrodynamic volume for the highest ionic strengths. The resulting random-coiled conformation could affect the complexation with metal for high concentration but no change was evidenced when increasing europium concentration. Two sites of complexation of Eu(III) were evidenced by TRLFS in heparin, whereas only one site was evidenced in two modified EPSs produced from Alteromonas infernus.

Using spectrophotometric titrations to characterize humic acid reactivity at environmental concentrations.

Potentiometric titration is a common method to characterize dissolved organic matter (DOM) reactivity. Because of the sensitivity of pH electrodes, it is necessary to work with very high DOM (>1 g/L) concentrations that are unrealistic compared to those found in natural waters (0.1 to 100 mg/L). To obtain proton binding data for concentrations closer to environmental values, spectroscopic titration methodology is a viable alternative to traditional potentiometric titrations. Spectrophotometric titrations and UV-visible spectra of a diluted solution of purified Aldrich humic acid (5 mgDOC/L) are used to estimate changes in proton binding moieties as function of pH and ionic strength after calculation of differential absorbance spectra variations. After electrostatic correction of spectrophotometric data, there is a linear operational correlation between spectrophotometric and potentiometric data which can be used as a transfer function between the two properties. Spectrophotometric titrations are then used to determine the changes of humic acid protonation after adsorption onto alpha-alumina.

Development and application of the thermodynamic database PRODATA dedicated to the monitoring of mining activities from exploration to remediation.

A growing demand exists on the monitoring of both uranium mining activities and their environmental impacts. In order to help understanding and modelling both these aspects, a thermodynamic database dedicated to uranium mining activities is developed: the PRODATA database. Relevant species and phases for uranium and radium are chosen from existing compilations of data, complemented with important missing data for the application to mining activities and environmental monitoring. Important major anions and cations chemistry are included, as well as secondary pollutants such as arsenic, lead, or nickel. Applications of the PRODATA extracted database file for PhreeqC to theoretical speciation calculations of uranium and radium for actual water compositions - either linked to uranium mining activities, or under monitoring for environmental survey - are presented. Wider applications to other available water compositions from different geochemical concepts are also tested. For the tested cases, the major radium and uranium species obtained using PRODATA are compared with other available thermodynamic database (Thermochimie, LLNL, Wateq4f, Minteq, PSI/NAGRA). The choice of the database file - and of the ionic strength correction - can strongly impact the final speciation results. Sulphate complexes of radium and uranium are of particular importance in mining exploitation context, and carbonate uranium complexes - particularly [Formula: see text] complexes - are crucial for environmental monitoring. The latter complexes are key species for the aqueous speciation of uranium, even in reducing environment where U(IV) low solubility usually governs uranium mobility.

Determination of formation constants and specific ion interaction coefficients for CanUO2(CO3)3(4-2n)- complexes in NaCl solution by time-resolved laser-induced luminescence spectroscopy.

The formation constants of CaUO2(CO3)32- and Ca2UO2(CO3)3(aq) were determined in NaCl medium at ionic strengths between 0.1 and 1 mol kgw-1 using time-resolved laser-induced luminescence spectroscopy (TRLS). Spectroluminescence titration of UO2(CO3)34- complex by Ca2+ were conducted at atmospheric CO2(g) and varying pH values in order to eliminate the eventual precipitation of both schoepite (UO3 : 2H2O) and calcite (CaCO3) in aqueous solutions. To identify the stoichiometry of calcium, the slope analyses corrected by the Ringböm coefficient for UO2(CO3)34- relative to pH and CO2(g)-instead of typical expression relative to UO22+ and CO32--was applied in this work. Satisfactory linear fits assessed the conditional stepwise formation constants in the range of ionic strength employed in this work, the values of which are in good agreement with literature data at comparable ionic strengths. Extrapolations to infinite dilution were realized in the framework of the specific ion interaction theory (SIT), also providing the evaluation of the specific ion interaction coefficients. The cumulative stability constants at infinite dilution was determined to be log10 ß°(CaUO2(CO3)32-) = 27.20 ± 0.04 and log10 ß°(Ca2UO2(CO3)3(aq)) = 30.49 ± 0.05, which are in good agreement with extrapolation proposed elsewhere in literature using a different extrapolation framework. The specific ion interaction coefficients were found to be ε(CaUO2(CO3)32-,Na+) = (0.29 ± 0.11) and ε(Ca2UO2(CO3)3(aq),NaCl) = (0.66 ± 0.12) kgw mol-1. Integration of alkali metals into the ternary species may explain these positive and relatively large interaction coefficients. Implications on the speciation of uranium in clay groundwaters, representative of radioactive waste repositories, and in seawater are discussed.

Spectroluminescence measurements of the stability constants of CanUO2(CO3)3(4-2n)- complexes in NaClO4 medium and the investigation of interaction effects.

The stability constants of ternary calcium uranyl tricarbonate complexes, CaUO2(CO3)32- and Ca2UO2(CO3)3(aq), were determined in NaClO4 medium at various ionic strengths using time-resolved laser-induced luminescence spectroscopy (TRLS) - also known as time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). As in a previous study, the potential precipitation of schoepite (UO3·2H2O) and calcite (CaCO3) was avoided via titration of the triscarbonatouranyl complex with Ca2+ at varying pH values. The Ringböm coefficients relative to UO2(CO3)34- were individually evaluated under test sample conditions. Steadily enhanced luminescence intensity and increased decay-times were representative of complexation processes. The stoichiometry of calcium was quantified by slope analysis, and its measured intensity was corrected by using the corresponding Ringböm coefficient. The conditional formation constants, i.e. log10 Kn.1.3, were then assessed after rounding off the slope values to their nearest integers. Cumulative formation constants at infinite dilution log10 ß°n.1.3, and specific ion interaction parameters ε were determined based on the experimental origin and slope values, respectively, over the range of 0.1-2.46 mol kgw-1 NaClO4 using the specific ion interaction theory (SIT) approach. The cumulative stability constants are log10 ß°(CaUO2(CO3)32-) = 27.26 ± 0.04 and log10 ß°(Ca2UO2(CO3)3(aq)) = 30.53 ± 0.06. The specific ion interaction coefficients are estimated to be ε(CaUO2(CO3)32-,Na+) = (0.02 ± 0.04) kgw mol-1 and ε(Ca2UO2(CO3)3(aq),NaClO4) = (0.18 ± 0.07) kgw mol-1. These latter values are different from the ones that were previously obtained in NaCl, and underlying causes are discussed from different aspects. This work provides valuable information to address the interaction effects between Ca-UO2-CO3 species and 1 : 1 type electrolytes. It is suggested that the affinity of the cation in a background electrolyte with CanUO2(CO3)3(4-2n)- (n = {1;2}) has to be taken into consideration at high ionic strengths, especially for globally non-charged species.

Interdisciplinary Round-Robin Test on Molecular Spectroscopy of the U(VI) Acetate System.

A comprehensive molecular analysis of a simple aqueous complexing system-U(VI) acetate-selected to be independently investigated by various spectroscopic (vibrational, luminescence, X-ray absorption, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy) and quantum chemical methods was achieved by an international round-robin test (RRT). Twenty laboratories from six different countries with a focus on actinide or geochemical research participated and contributed to this scientific endeavor. The outcomes of this RRT were considered on two levels of complexity: first, within each technical discipline, conformities as well as discrepancies of the results and their sources were evaluated. The raw data from the different experimental approaches were found to be generally consistent. In particular, for complex setups such as accelerator-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy, the agreement between the raw data was high. By contrast, luminescence spectroscopic data turned out to be strongly related to the chosen acquisition parameters. Second, the potentials and limitations of coupling various spectroscopic and theoretical approaches for the comprehensive study of actinide molecular complexes were assessed. Previous spectroscopic data from the literature were revised and the benchmark data on the U(VI) acetate system provided an unambiguous molecular interpretation based on the correlation of spectroscopic and theoretical results. The multimethodologic approach and the conclusions drawn address not only important aspects of actinide spectroscopy but particularly general aspects of modern molecular analytical chemistry.

Speciation of europium (III) surface species on monocrystalline alumina using time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence-scanning near-field optical microscopy.

The aim of this work was to perform highly localized spectroscopic surface measurements by combining time-resolved laser spectroscopy and scanning near-field optical microscopy. The final purpose of that was to study surface sorption at the molecular level of trivalent ions in the framework of nuclear waste disposal assessment. Time-resolved laser spectroscopy presents the advantages of being selective, sensitive, and noninvasive and scanning near-field optical microscopy is a promising technique for high resolution surface speciation. Investigation of the interaction between trivalent europium and a monocrystalline alumina (1102) surface was made using different conditions of concentration and pH. We found that the distribution of sorbed europium was always homogeneous with a decay time of europium (III) equal to 350 micros+/-15 micros. On the other hand, carbonate species with a decay time of 210 micros+/-10 micros or other hydroxide species with a decay time of 180 micros+/-10 micros were detected on the surface when a higher concentration or a higher pH solution, respectively, were used. Distribution of these species was heterogeneous and their associated fluorescence signal was relatively high, evoking a precipitated form. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was also used on the same samples as a complementary technique. A binding energy of 1135.1 eV was obtained for the sorbed europium and another binding energy of 1134.4 eV was obtained for the hydroxide species, thus confirming the presence of two kinds of species on the surface.

Impact of uranium uptake on isotopic fractionation and endogenous element homeostasis in human neuron-like cells.

The impact of natural uranium (U) on differentiated human neuron-like cells exposed to 1, 10, 125, and 250 µM of U for seven days was assessed. In particular, the effect of the U uptake on the homeostatic modulation of several endogenous elements (Mg, P, Mn, Fe, Zn, and Cu), the U isotopic fractionation upon its incorporation by the cells and the evolution of the intracellular Cu and Zn isotopic signatures were studied. The intracellular accumulation of U was accompanied by a preferential uptake of 235U for cells exposed to 1 and 10 µM of U, whereas no significant isotopic fractionation was observed between the extra- and the intracellular media for higher exposure U concentrations. The U uptake was also found to modulate the homeostasis of Cu, Fe, and Mn for cells exposed to 125 and 250 µM of U, but the intracellular Cu isotopic signature was not modified. The intracellular Zn isotopic signature was not modified either. The activation of the non-specific U uptake pathway might be related to this homeostatic modulation. All together, these results show that isotopic and quantitative analyses of toxic and endogenous elements are powerful tools to help deciphering the toxicity mechanisms of heavy metals.

Measurement and modeling of the surface potential evolution of hydrated cement pastes as a function of degradation.

Hydrated cement pastes (HCP) have a high affinity with a lot of (radio)toxic products and can be used as waste confining materials. In cementitious media, elements are removed from solution via (co)precipitation reactions or via sorption/diffusion mechanisms as surface complexation equilibria. In this study, to improve the knowledge of the surface charge evolution vs the degradation of the HCP particles, two cements have been studied: CEM-I (ordinary Portland cement, OPC) and CEM-V (blast furnace slag and fly ash added to OPC). Zeta potential measurements showed that two isoelectric points exist vs HCP leaching, i.e., pH. Zeta potential increases from -17 to +20 mV for pH 13.3 to pH 12.65 (fresh HCP states) and decreases from 20 to -8 mV for pH 12.65 to 11 (degraded HCP states). The use of a simple surface complexation model of C-S-H, limited in comparison with the structural modeling of C-S-H in literature, allows a good prediction of the surface potential evolution of both HCP. Using this operational modeling, the surface charge is controlled by the deprotonation of surface sites (>SO(-)) and by the sorption of calcium (>SOCa(+)), which brings in addition a positive charge. The calcium concentration is controlled by portlandite or calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) solubilities.