Biomedical subjects

G Meinrath

Publications and source records attributed to G Meinrath.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Mechanism of uranium removal from the aqueous solution by elemental iron.

The effectiveness of elemental iron (Fe(0)) to remove uranium (U) from the aqueous phase has been demonstrated. While the mitigation effect is sure, discrepancies in the removal mechanism have been reported. The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanism of U(VI) removal from aqueous phases by Fe(0). For this purpose, a systematic sequence of bulk experiments was conducted to characterize the effects of the availability and the abundance of corrosion products on U(VI) removal. Results indicated that U(VI) removal reactions did not primary occur at the surface of the metallic iron. It is determined that U(VI) co-precipitation with aging corrosion products is a plausible explanation for the irreversible fixation under experimental conditions. Results of XRD analyses did no show any U phases, whereas SEM-EDX analyses showed that U tended to associate with rusted areas on the surface of Fe(0). Recovering U with different leaching solutions varied upon the dissolution capacity of the individual solutions for corrosion products, showing that the irreversibility of the removal depends on the stability of the corrosion products. U(VI) co-precipitation as removal mechanism enables a better discussion of reported discrepancies.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2005

Application of cause-and-effect analysis to potentiometric titration.

A first attempt has been made to interpret physicochemical data from potentiometric titration analysis in accordance with the complete measurement-uncertainty budget approach (bottom-up) of ISO and Eurachem. A cause-and-effect diagram is established and discussed. Titration data for arsenazo III are used as a basis for this discussion. The commercial software Superquad is used and applied within a computer-intensive resampling framework. The cause-and-effect diagram is applied to evaluation of seven protonation constants of arsenazo III in the pH range 2-10.7. The data interpretation is based on empirical probability distributions and their analysis by second-order correct confidence estimates. The evaluated data are applied in the calculation of a speciation diagram including uncertainty estimates using the probabilistic speciation software Ljungskile.

Arsenazo III↗

PubMed2005

The removal of uranium from mining waste water using algal/microbial biomass.

We describe a three step process for the removal of uranium (U) from dilute waste waters. Step one involves the sequestration of U on, in, and around aquatic plants such as algae. Cell wall ligands efficiently remove U(VI) from waste water. Growing algae continuously renew the cellular surface area. Step 2 is the removal of U-algal particulates from the water column to the sediments. Step 3 involves reducing U(VI) to U(IV) and transforming the ions into stable precipitates in the sediments. The algal cells provide organic carbon and other nutrients to heterotrophic microbial consortia to maintain the low E(H), within which the U is transformed. Among the microorganisms, algae are of predominant interest for the ecological engineer because of their ability to sequester U and because some algae can live under many extreme environments, often in abundance. Algae grow in a wide spectrum of water qualities, from alkaline environments (Chara, Nitella) to acidic mine drainage waste waters (Mougeotia, Ulothrix). If they could be induced to grow in waste waters, they would provide a simple, long-term means to remove U and other radionuclides from U mining effluents. This paper reviews the literature on algal and microbial adsorption, reduction, and transformation of U in waste streams, wetlands, lakes and oceans.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2003

Mitigating uranium in groundwater: prospects and limitations.

Removal of uranium(VI) by zerovalent iron has been suggested as a feasible pathway to control uranium contaminations in seepage waters. Available information in the literature however presents discrepant evidence on the process responsible for the mitigation effect. On basis of an EH-pH diagram of uranium and iron, it is outlined that these discrepancies may be explained by the aqueous chemistry of uranium and iron. Additional effects contributing to the complexity of the system are given. Solubilization experiments using scrap iron together with water works sludge, MnO2, and pyrite indicate that U(VI) is immobilized by iron corrosion products after about 50 days.

Iron↗

PubMed2003

Uranium ores and depleted uranium in the environment, with a reference to uranium in the biosphere from the Erzgebirge/Sachsen, Germany.

The Erzgebirge ('Ore Mountains') area in the eastern part of Germany was a major source of uranium for Soviet nuclear programs between 1945 and 1989. During this time, the former German Democratic Republic became the third largest uranium producer in the world. The high abundance of uranium in the geological formations of the Erzgebirge are mirrored in the discovery of uranium by M. Klaproth close to Freiberg City in 1789 and the description of the so-called 'Schneeberg' disease, lung cancer caused in miners by the accumulation of the uranium decay product, radon, in the subsurfaces of shafts. Since 1991, remediation and mitigation of uranium at production facilities, rock piles and mill tailings has taken place. In parallel, efforts were initiated to assess the likely adverse effects of uranium mining to humans. The costs of these activities amount to about 6.5 10(9) Euro. A comparison with concentrations of depleted uranium at certain sites is given.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗

PubMed2001

Application of cause-and-effect diagrams to the interpretation of UV-Vis spectroscopic data.

The application of cause-and-effect diagrams to the evaluation of thermodynamic data from UV-Vis absorption spectroscopic analysis is demonstrated. The contributions of measurement uncertainty identified from a cause-and-effect diagram are implemented into a Monte Carlo procedure based on the threshold bootstrap computer-assisted target factor analysis (TB CAT). This algorithm aims at an improvement of data comparability and accounts for non-normality, spectral, residual and parameter correlation as well as random noise in target factor analysis. The ISO Type-B measurement uncertainties are included into the process by normally distributed random numbers with specified mean values and dispersions. The TB CAT procedure is illustrated by a flow diagram and a case study of Nd(III) complexation by picolinic acid N-oxide (pic NO) in aqueous solution. Using 12 experimental spectra as input data, the single component spectra and the formation constant 1g betaML of the Nd(pic NO)2+ species are obtained together with the respective probability density distributions. The role of the cause-and-effects approach on the further development of chemical thermodynamics is discussed.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

Quantitative resolution of spectroscopic systems using computer-assisted target factor analysis (CAT).

Factor analysis (FA) is widely applicable in analytical chemistry. For suitable data structures, the generality of the approach is a strong point of FA. Using target testing procedures, a wealth of specific informations on the components in a chemical system can be extracted without stating a specific model. Target testing, however, is time-consuming and often heuristic. In the following, application of a computer-assisted target factor analysis (CAT) algorithm is described. CAT estimates a rotation matrix that transforms abstract factors into physically meaningful informations by using general constraints, i.e. non-negativity of absorptions and/or concentrations. Thus, the rotation step in factor analysis is automated and allows application of target factor analysis to situations where none or only very limited information on the real factors and their respective contributions is available. Thus, a target testing procedure of guessing physically meaningful factors and iteratively adapting these factors is performed automatically. Nevertheless, CAT is not a black box procedure. The relative importance of different optimization constraints is balanced interactively. CAT can be applied to all situations where factor analysis can be used. CAT is demonstrated using UV-Vis absorption spectra of a Nd(III) polyoxometalate cryptate system and the system U(VI)-CO2-H2O as examples.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

Measurement uncertainty of thermodynamic data.

Thermodynamic quantities of chemical reactions are commonly derived from experimental data obtained by chemical analysis. The accuracy of the evaluated thermodynamic quantities is limited by the measurement uncertainty of the analytical techniques applied. Straightforward transfer of metrological rules established for determination of single analytes to the more complex process of evaluating values of thermodynamic quantities is not possible. Computer-intensive statistical methods and Monte Carlo techniques are shown to enable integration of existing metrological concepts. An initial stage of the integration of both concepts is presented, taking solubility data for Am(III) in carbonate media as an illustrative example. A cause and effect diagram is created as a means of identification of sources of uncertainty. The uncertainties are used in a resampling-based Monte Carlo study to produce a probability distribution of the value of a quantity.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

Aggravation of licensing procedures by doubtful thermodynamic data.

Environmental prognosis by geochemical modelling is a scientific approach to several open questions of general public interest. Two prominent fields where geochemical modelling holds an important share are the remediation of contaminated former uranium mining areas and safety assessment of radioactive waste repositories in the geosphere. In both fields, application of geochemical modelling is stipulated by public authorities. The enormous complexity of models that can be handled by computers rises the awareness on the meaningfulness of a modelling result and demands for provision of an estimate of the dependability of a calculation output by the computers. It is obvious that bias, over- and underestimation of uncertainty in input data reduces the relevance of the calculation output. Chemistry contributes important data to geochemical modelling, both from field analysis and in the fundamental physico-chemical quantities enclosed into the thermodynamic data base. Some examples will be given where progress in quality assessment of chemical data may further the predictive power of geochemical modelling.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

Comparability of thermodynamic data--a metrological point of view.

In order to compare and to interpret chemical measurements, compliance with general rules of metrology is compulsory. Such rules are the more important the more the chemical measurements are applied under circumstances where material assets and goods or immaterial values like health may be affected. Metrology of chemical measurements attempts to define rules for achieving comparability and for guaranteeing quality of analytical data. Thermodynamic data are commonly derived from a set of analytical measurements. Comparability among thermodynamic data is an important issue especially for those data to be applied in politically sensitive issues of environmental prognosis, long-term safety assessment of nuclear waste repositories in deep geological formations and assessment of environmental impact of technical intervention in the geosphere. Taking the data evaluation step in the traceability chain of thermodynamic data as an example, the existing thermodynamic data is shown to be affected by deficiencies in comparability and quality that may severely limit its dependability in environmental prognosis. The need for a metrologically acceptable approach is demonstrated. Statistical concepts improving a reliable assignment of meaningful measurement uncertainty to a thermodynamic datum are presented. Unresolved issues, i.e. measurement uncertainty of a pH measurement, hampering the construction of a traceability chain are outlined.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

Impact of measurement uncertainty in chemical quantities on environmental prognosis by geochemical transport modelling.

In Germany, geochemical modelling takes a strong position in two aspects of broader public interest. The first aspect is the safety assessment of a nuclear waste repository, the second is remediation of uranium mining areas. In both aspects, the application of geochemical modelling is stipulated by authorities. This situation results from the possibility to model highly complex situations by computers. The increase in computing power experienced in recent times now offers techniques to assess the sensitivity of modelling results to uncertain input data both in the thermodynamic data base and the site-specific field data. Both aspects are investigated by using Monte Carlo methods in combination with non-parametric statistics. A probabilistic geochemical modelling of uranium mill tailings leaching is demonstrated by application of TReaC modelling code using a simplified site model.

Environmental Monitoring↗

PubMed1998

Decommissioning of a nuclear power plant: determination of site-specific sorption coefficients for Co-60 and Cs-137.

Assessment of radiological risks in strategies for decommissioning of nuclear installations have to consider not only technical concepts such as cutting and decontamination techniques but, even more important, requirements for input of reliable information on the hydrological situation and retardation capabilities of relevant radionuclides specific to the respective decommissioning operation. In this paper we describe appropriate methods for obtaining site-specific sorption data and present results achieved from a case study performed as a commercial contractual work preliminary to the planned decommissioning of a nuclear power plant. A detailed mineralogical study of the sediment used in our sorption experiment highlights the necessity of a thorough sample homogenization and characterization. Batch experiments using radiotracer techniques for the determination of site-specific sorption coefficients show significant retardation for Co-60 and Cs-137 after only 2 h of equilibration between the preconditioned groundwater and sediment. Sorption is more effective in the groundwater of a deeper aquifer containing a higher amount of colloidal clay (illite) particles < 0.63 micron. The Co-60 radiotracer is more completely sorbed than the Cs-137 radiotracer. Equilibration of radionuclide distribution is slow, particularly for Co-60. Presence of EDTA reduces sorption of Co-60 efficiently while Cs-137 sorption remains unaffected.

Adsorption↗