The phytoavaibility and phytomining of uranium

Abstract

Study of phytoavaibility, phytomining, phytoextraction and different plant behaviors may throw some light on mining, beneficiation and extraction of uranium through botanical processes, which lead to the cost saving extraction method of Uranium rather than conventional method. Some plants absorb Uranyl ion by active or passive transport mechanism with the help of some membrane proteins or cytoplasmic enzymes resulting in the hyper accumulation of Uranium. Consequently, inhibiting the process of DNA mediated transportation which affects plant development and decreases biomass. On the other hand, rapidly growing and deep-rooted plants having dense root mass absorb extra uranium. Such phyto-accumulating plants that grew bigger accumulate more metal from the soil via their increased vegetation and biomass. Terrestrial plants have a fibrous and much longer root system and hence greater root mass and area, therefore they are preferred for phytomining. On the other side, Uranium being a radioactive metal if formulated into the food chain will cause severe health problems relating to lungs or kidneys among animals and human beings. To solve this issue and to keep these plants consumable for human beings and animals, the Uranyl ion concentration should be restricted to roots only (which could be later used for mining and extraction purposes) without letting it to be trans-located to other parts of the plant.