TY - JOUR
T1 - Stability of Peroxide-Containing Uranyl Minerals
AU - Kubatko, Karrie Ann Hughes
AU - Helean, Katheryn B.
AU - Navrotsky, Alexandra
AU - Burns, Peter C.
PY - 2003/11/14
Y1 - 2003/11/14
N2 - Minerals containing peroxide are limited to studtite, (UO 2)O2(H2O)4, and meta-studtite, (UO2)O2(H2O)2. High-temperature oxide-melt solution calorimetry and solubility measurements for studtite (standard enthalpy of formation at 298 kelvin is -2344.7 ± 4.0 kilojoules per mole from the elements) establishes that these phases are stable in peroxide-bearing environments, even at low H2O2 concentrations. Natural radioactivity in a uranium deposit, or the radioactivity of nuclear waste, can create sufficient H2O 2 by alpha radiolysis of water for studtite formation. Studtite and metastudtite may be important alteration phases of nuclear waste in a geological repository and of spent fuel under any long-term storage, possibly at the expense of the commonly expected uranyl oxide hydrates and uranyl silicates.
AB - Minerals containing peroxide are limited to studtite, (UO 2)O2(H2O)4, and meta-studtite, (UO2)O2(H2O)2. High-temperature oxide-melt solution calorimetry and solubility measurements for studtite (standard enthalpy of formation at 298 kelvin is -2344.7 ± 4.0 kilojoules per mole from the elements) establishes that these phases are stable in peroxide-bearing environments, even at low H2O2 concentrations. Natural radioactivity in a uranium deposit, or the radioactivity of nuclear waste, can create sufficient H2O 2 by alpha radiolysis of water for studtite formation. Studtite and metastudtite may be important alteration phases of nuclear waste in a geological repository and of spent fuel under any long-term storage, possibly at the expense of the commonly expected uranyl oxide hydrates and uranyl silicates.
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U2 - 10.1126/science.1090259
DO - 10.1126/science.1090259
M3 - Article
C2 - 14615533
AN - SCOPUS:0242582184
SN - 0036-8075
VL - 302
SP - 1191
EP - 1193
JO - Science
JF - Science
IS - 5648
ER -