BIOTURANIUM · Bioturbation effects on distribution, fluxes, bioavailability and toxicity of uranium in freshwater ecosystems.

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Project objective

The aim of this project is to understand and quantify the effect of the bio-turbating activity of macro-invertebrates on transfers and bioavailability of uranium in freshwater ecosystems. Uranium is a toxic non-essential metal that can be concentrated at high levels in sediments. One of the major processes that can enhance the transfer of uranium between the sediments and the overlying water is the activity of benthic macrofauna. Our project aims at improving knowledge and understanding about uranium fate and effects in freshwater ecosystems and the ecotoxicological consequences of a chronic exposure situation.Our work will deal with several connected aspects as follows:(1) the impact of the benthic macrofauna on sediment biogeochemistry and thus on uranium distribution and fate in the sediment;(2) the impact of the benthic macrofauna on uranium transfers from the sediment to the overlying water and from the overlying water to the sediment;(3) the bioavailability and the toxicity of uranium (from both sediment and overlying water sources) for benthic organisms;(4) the long-term effect of uranium on the composition of natural benthic communities and on their bioturbation activities.The research project is based on a multi- and inter-disciplinary laboratory -based approach using several methods and techniques presently available at the host institution (Laboratory of Radioecology and Ecotoxicology (LRE/IRSN/DEI/SECRE/LRE, Centre de Cadarache, Saint Paul Lez Durance cedex, France). These original techniques are: fluorescent tracers to study the bioturbation activity; DET gel probes, O2, Eh and pH microelectrodes, planar 2D oxygen optodes, to monitor the biogeochemistry of the sediment; DET gel probes ICP-AES and isotopic ratio measurements to quantify uranium concentrations in sediment, overlying water and organisms; histological analysis, uranium micro-localisation (TEM) in cells, estimation of genotoxicity and of oxidative stress to investigate uranium toxicity.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

• INSTITUTE FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION AND NUCLEAR SAFETY · CLAMARTCoordinatorCity levelFrance

Links

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