Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


36549.pdf (3.25 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Dissolution and Sequential Extraction of select radioactive and stable elements in soil and lunar regolith simulants

Murry, Maisha M
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7772-4440
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1583999571140163

Abstract Details

2020, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Engineering and Applied Science: Nuclear and Radiological Engineering.
As part of this research a new device for measuring dissolution rates for small samples, especially individual particles, was evaluated that incorporates a regenerated cellulose dialysis membrane fixed to the bottom of a small, 2 mL plastic cup that fits into the top of a 50 mL plastic centrifuge tube. The cup is easily transferred among a series of tubes containing solvent to measure rate of dissolution. The performance of the dialysis cup device was evaluated by measuring the dissolution rate of uranyl acetate in distilled water, phosphate buffered saline (PBS), and simulated lung fluid (SLF). These results were compared to the dissolution rate measured using the traditional filter sandwich method in which a sample is sealed between two hydrophilic membranes. The majority of uranyl acetate dissolved in SLF within 30 min using the traditional filter sandwich method, most of the uranyl acetate was undissolved in PBS and SLF using the dialysis membrane device. Use of the dialysis cup device for evaluating dissolution rates for uranium-bearing materials in solvents containing a high concentration of salts is not recommended. Additionally the purpose of this research is to determine whether gamma radiation affects the sequential extraction of the inhalable fraction of two different Lunar Mare Regolith simulants and uranium contaminated soil collected from an abandoned metal rolling mill. The significance of this study was to investigate whether gamma radiation influences the amount of neutron activation products extracted in various solutions that could be suggestive of possible environmental significance. The findings of this research are important for individuals working in the lunar environment or with lunar materials, such as astronauts, researchers and staff handling actual Lunar Mare Regolith, since human health risk for those exposed to this material is currently being evaluated. Findings of this research are also important for individuals working to remediate uranium contaminated soils. The respirable fraction of the two lunar simulant samples was characterized by micro X-ray Fluoresce (µ-XRF) to determine the elemental constitutes of the particles contained on the filter samples. Samples of lunar simulants and uranium metal contaminated soil were irradiated using photons from Cobolt-60 (60Co) to simulate enhanced radiation exposure that one would expect to be received on the lunar surface. The samples were also exposed to neutrons to activate stable elements for measurement and analysis by gamma spectrometry. The lunar simulant samples were characterized using Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-rays (ESEM-EDX) and Micro X-ray Fluoresce. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) was also used to characterize any changes in the lunar simulant that might have occurred due to gamma irradiation. Sequential extraction of the inhalable fraction of lunar simulant samples and uranium contaminated soil samples was used to characterize the environmental pathways of the neutron activated stable elements.
Henry Spitz, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Sam Glover, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Jude Iroh, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Jay Kim, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
95 p.
Radiation
Sequential Extraction; Lunar Regolith simulant; Uranium contaminated soil; Dissolution; lunar simulant; Uranium

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Murry, M. M. (2020). Dissolution and Sequential Extraction of select radioactive and stable elements in soil and lunar regolith simulants [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1583999571140163

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Murry, Maisha. Dissolution and Sequential Extraction of select radioactive and stable elements in soil and lunar regolith simulants. 2020. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1583999571140163.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Murry, Maisha. "Dissolution and Sequential Extraction of select radioactive and stable elements in soil and lunar regolith simulants." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1583999571140163

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1583999571140163
128
© 2020, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.