A multiscale investigation of uranium(VI) interaction with a freshwater diatom species

Abstract Diatoms are essential bio-indicators for assessing the impact of heavy metals and hazardous materials on aquatic ecosystems. This study seeks to advance our understanding of the interaction between uranium (U) and the freshwater diatom species Achnanthidium saprophilum, employing macroscopi...

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Main Authors: Yihua He, Vladyslav Sushko, René Hübner, Harald Foerstendorf, Robin Steudtner, Johannes Raff, Clarisse Mallet, Anne-Hélène Le Jeune, Aude Beauger, Vincent Breton, Olivier Péron, Thorsten Stumpf, Susanne Sachs, Gilles Montavon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93350-5
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author Yihua He
Vladyslav Sushko
René Hübner
Harald Foerstendorf
Robin Steudtner
Johannes Raff
Clarisse Mallet
Anne-Hélène Le Jeune
Aude Beauger
Vincent Breton
Olivier Péron
Thorsten Stumpf
Susanne Sachs
Gilles Montavon
author_facet Yihua He
Vladyslav Sushko
René Hübner
Harald Foerstendorf
Robin Steudtner
Johannes Raff
Clarisse Mallet
Anne-Hélène Le Jeune
Aude Beauger
Vincent Breton
Olivier Péron
Thorsten Stumpf
Susanne Sachs
Gilles Montavon
author_sort Yihua He
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Diatoms are essential bio-indicators for assessing the impact of heavy metals and hazardous materials on aquatic ecosystems. This study seeks to advance our understanding of the interaction between uranium (U) and the freshwater diatom species Achnanthidium saprophilum, employing macroscopic, microscopic, and spectroscopic approaches. Bio-association experiments with hexavalent U (U(VI)) were conducted during various diatom growth phases and revealed time- and concentration-dependent U retention by the diatoms. U bio-association was observed by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), indicating co-localization of U with phosphorus (P). Time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy on U(VI)-associated diatoms suggested the formation of two adsorbed U(VI) species, whose proportions depend on the diatom growth phase. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the interaction of U(VI) dominated by carboxyl groups on diatoms, while the contribution of silanol groups from the diatom frustule appeared insignificant. U bio-association experiments revealed also U incorporation into diatom cells, confirmed by transmission electron microscopy coupled with EDX. Co-localization of U with P within the vacuole was evident, suggesting co-precipitation of various metals, including U, in form of phosphates. The results of this study highlight not only the adsorption but also the internalization of U by diatoms, which influences the fate of U in aquatic ecosystems and affects its mobility and bioavailability. These findings are highly relevant for the further development of radioecological models.
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spelling doaj-art-689cfbefe349488e8cb5a59a4e87e0dd2025-08-20T03:22:07ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111510.1038/s41598-025-93350-5A multiscale investigation of uranium(VI) interaction with a freshwater diatom speciesYihua He0Vladyslav Sushko1René Hübner2Harald Foerstendorf3Robin Steudtner4Johannes Raff5Clarisse Mallet6Anne-Hélène Le Jeune7Aude Beauger8Vincent Breton9Olivier Péron10Thorsten Stumpf11Susanne Sachs12Gilles Montavon13Laboratoire de Physique Subatomique et des Technologies AssociéesHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-RossendorfHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-RossendorfHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-RossendorfHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-RossendorfHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-RossendorfLaboratoire Microorganismes Génome et EnvironnementLaboratoire de Physique Subatomique et des Technologies AssociéesLaboratoire de Géographie Physique et EnvironnementaleLaboratoire de Physique de ClermontLaboratoire de Physique Subatomique et des Technologies AssociéesHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-RossendorfHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-RossendorfLaboratoire de Physique Subatomique et des Technologies AssociéesAbstract Diatoms are essential bio-indicators for assessing the impact of heavy metals and hazardous materials on aquatic ecosystems. This study seeks to advance our understanding of the interaction between uranium (U) and the freshwater diatom species Achnanthidium saprophilum, employing macroscopic, microscopic, and spectroscopic approaches. Bio-association experiments with hexavalent U (U(VI)) were conducted during various diatom growth phases and revealed time- and concentration-dependent U retention by the diatoms. U bio-association was observed by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), indicating co-localization of U with phosphorus (P). Time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy on U(VI)-associated diatoms suggested the formation of two adsorbed U(VI) species, whose proportions depend on the diatom growth phase. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the interaction of U(VI) dominated by carboxyl groups on diatoms, while the contribution of silanol groups from the diatom frustule appeared insignificant. U bio-association experiments revealed also U incorporation into diatom cells, confirmed by transmission electron microscopy coupled with EDX. Co-localization of U with P within the vacuole was evident, suggesting co-precipitation of various metals, including U, in form of phosphates. The results of this study highlight not only the adsorption but also the internalization of U by diatoms, which influences the fate of U in aquatic ecosystems and affects its mobility and bioavailability. These findings are highly relevant for the further development of radioecological models.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93350-5Achnanthidium saprophilumBio-associationCo-localizationInfrared spectroscopyLuminescence spectroscopySpeciation
spellingShingle Yihua He
Vladyslav Sushko
René Hübner
Harald Foerstendorf
Robin Steudtner
Johannes Raff
Clarisse Mallet
Anne-Hélène Le Jeune
Aude Beauger
Vincent Breton
Olivier Péron
Thorsten Stumpf
Susanne Sachs
Gilles Montavon
A multiscale investigation of uranium(VI) interaction with a freshwater diatom species
Scientific Reports
Achnanthidium saprophilum
Bio-association
Co-localization
Infrared spectroscopy
Luminescence spectroscopy
Speciation
title A multiscale investigation of uranium(VI) interaction with a freshwater diatom species
title_full A multiscale investigation of uranium(VI) interaction with a freshwater diatom species
title_fullStr A multiscale investigation of uranium(VI) interaction with a freshwater diatom species
title_full_unstemmed A multiscale investigation of uranium(VI) interaction with a freshwater diatom species
title_short A multiscale investigation of uranium(VI) interaction with a freshwater diatom species
title_sort multiscale investigation of uranium vi interaction with a freshwater diatom species
topic Achnanthidium saprophilum
Bio-association
Co-localization
Infrared spectroscopy
Luminescence spectroscopy
Speciation
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93350-5
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