Uranium reduction by magnetite – mechanism of UO2 formation monitored by STEM, SAED and EELS

Uranium (U) is a ubiquitous element in the Earth’s crust, having a concentration of about 2 ppm.
Soluble hexavalent uranium (U(VI)) is reduced and immobilized in anoxic environments. The
underlying reduction mechanism is unknown but is likely of critical importance to explain variability in
U biogeochemical behaviors. In this study, we focused on the mechanism of reduction of U(VI) by the
mixed-valence iron oxide magnetite