Determination of U oxidation state in anoxic (N2) aqueous solutions. Method development and testing

The report describes the development and testing of a method for determining uranium oxidation state in aqueous solutions in inert (N2) atmosphere. The method included the separation of the tetravalent and hexavalent states by anion-exchange chromatography in HCl medium, followed by analysis of the uranium contents of each of the fractions by ICP-MS. The tests of the study demonstrated the suitability of the method for analysing the oxidation states of uranium at the low concentrations representative for U solubilities in anoxic groundwater. Additionally, the results obtained give some information on the redox state of the aqueous solutions in inert (N2) atmosphere. Obviously, the trace oxygen content in the atmosphere of the box is enough to cause slightly oxidizing conditions for uranium in the absence of reducing agents (e.g. H2, iron). (10 refs.)