Nature Communications (Jun 2017)

Biogenic non-crystalline U(IV) revealed as major component in uranium ore deposits

  • Amrita Bhattacharyya,
  • Kate M. Campbell,
  • Shelly D. Kelly,
  • Yvonne Roebbert,
  • Stefan Weyer,
  • Rizlan Bernier-Latmani,
  • Thomas Borch

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms15538
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 1
pp. 1 – 8

Abstract

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Crystalline uraninite is believed to be the dominant form in uranium deposits. Here, the authors find that non-crystalline U(IV) generated through biologically mediated U(VI) reduction is the predominant U(IV)species in ore deposits, implying that biogenic processes are more important than previously thought.