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In vitro dissolution of uranium contaminated soil in simulated lung fluid containing a pulmonary surfactant

Spitler, Grant

Abstract Details

2013, MS, University of Cincinnati, Engineering and Applied Science: Mechanical Engineering.
Uranium contamination in the dirt floor of an abandoned metal rolling mill was collected to determine whether it presents a significant exposure risk to workers when the facility is decontaminated. The contamination was present in the soil for over 50 years and subjected to rain, snow, ice and animal infestation while the building was abandoned. Multiple 100 mg samples of this dirt were exposed for increasing periods of time in simulated lung fluid to determine the dissolution rate. A pulmonary surfactant was added to half of the samples to determine whether the surfactant would affect the dissolution rate of uranium. Results indicate approximately 50% of the uranium dissolves quickly, within the first day, while no more than 15% of the uranium was found to dissolve during the intermediate time period, leaving 35-40% of the uranium undissolved, or constrained to a slow dissolution rate. The rapid dissolution of a significant fraction of the uranium contamination is atypical of most forms of uranium in soil and should be considered for safety controls for workers who may be exposed to resuspended uranium contamination during remediation. The addition of the pulmonary surfactant made no impact to the dissolution rate of uranium in the dirt.
Henry Spitz, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Sam Glover, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Thomas Richard Huston, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
44 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Spitler, G. (2013). In vitro dissolution of uranium contaminated soil in simulated lung fluid containing a pulmonary surfactant [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1377871194

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Spitler, Grant. In vitro dissolution of uranium contaminated soil in simulated lung fluid containing a pulmonary surfactant. 2013. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1377871194.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Spitler, Grant. "In vitro dissolution of uranium contaminated soil in simulated lung fluid containing a pulmonary surfactant." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1377871194

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)