Uranyl carbonate refers to theinorganic compound with the formula UO2CO3. Also known by its mineral namerutherfordine, this material consists of uranyl (UO2+2) and carbonate (CO2−3). Like most uranyl salts, the compound is a polymeric, each uranium(VI) center being bonded to eight oxygen atoms.[1] Hydrolysis products of rutherfordine are also found in both the mineral and organic fractions ofcoal and itsfly ash and is the main component of uranium in mine tailing seepage water.[2]
Many uranyl carbonates exist, rutherfordine being the simplest stoichiometry. Most uranyl carbonates contain additional components including water and diverse anions and cations.[3]
A common method for concentrating uranium from a solution uses solutions of uranyl carbonates, which are passed through a resin bed where thecomplex ions are transferred to the resin byion exchange with a negative ion like chloride. After build-up of the uranium complex on the resin, the uranium is eluted with asalt solution and the uranium isprecipitated in another process.[citation needed]
^Finch, R. J.; Cooper, M. A.; Hawthorne, F. C.; Ewing, R. C. (1999). "Refinement of the Crystal Structure of Rutherfordine".The Canadian Mineralogist.37 (4): 929–938.
^Ivanovich, M.; Fröhlich, K.; Hendry, M.J. (1991). "Uranium-series radionuclides in fluids and solids, Milk River aquifer, Alberta, Canada".Applied Geochemistry.6 (4):405–418.Bibcode:1991ApGC....6..405I.doi:10.1016/0883-2927(91)90040-V.
^Amayri, Samer; Reich, Tobias; Arnold, Thuro; Geipel, Gerhard; Bernhard, Gert (2005). "Spectroscopic Characterization of Alkaline Earth Uranyl Carbonates".Journal of Solid State Chemistry.178 (2):567–577.Bibcode:2005JSSCh.178..567A.doi:10.1016/j.jssc.2004.07.050.
"Ion-exchange". U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 6 October 2011. Retrieved22 November 2011.
Flury, Markus; Harsh, James B. (2000)."Remediation of Uranium Contaminated Mine Waste"(PDF).State of Washington Water Research Center Report WRR-04. State of Washington Water Research Center. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 3 October 2011. Retrieved22 November 2011.
