Uranium-reducing electrode cleans up groundwater

An electrochemical technique could prevent the spread of uranium in contaminated groundwater and provide a new way to source material for use in nuclear fuel. Uranium is a naturally occurring element commonly found in groundwater at locations around the world. It can also enter the water at sites affected by contamination – for example, following uranium mining, or the use of nuclear fuels and weapons. Techniques used to stop the spread of this toxic radionuclide involve reducing mobile uranium species into insoluble sediments. However, these precipitates can be reoxidised, meaning the risk of uranium re-entering the groundwater remains.