Sedimentary Catalysis of Radiolytic Hydrogen Production

Author

Justine Flore Sauvage, University of Rhode IslandFollow

Date of Award

2018

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Oceanography

Specialization

Marine Geology and Geophysics

Department

Oceanography

First Advisor

Steven D’Hondt

Abstract

Hydrogen (H₂) and oxidants (O₂ and H₂O₂) are naturally produced by radiolysis of water in any environment where water is bombarded by α, β, and γ radiation generated during radioactive decay. The production of radiolytic H₂ in aqueous solutions and in some monomineral-water mixtures has been extensively studied. However, yields of radiolytic products in natural materials remain largely unexplored.

Quantification of radiolytic production in common geological materials is critical to assess the importance of water radiolysis as source of microbial reductants and oxidants in water-containing subsurface environments. Knowledge of radiolytic production is also fundamental for the nuclear industry, as maintenance and development of nuclear reactors, long-term disposal of radioactive waste and management of mixed-waste storage tanks are intricately associated with radiolysis products.

We experimentally quantified H₂ yields for α- and γ-irradiation of pure water, seawater, and slurries of marine sediment, montmorillonite, and two natural zeolites (mordenite and clinoptilolite) widely used in the nuclear industry. The sediment samples include the dominant types found in the global ocean (abyssal clay, nannofossil-bearing clay [marl], clay-bearing diatom ooze, and nannofossil ooze). These experiments demonstrate that all common types of marine sediment and both zeolites catalyze radiolytic H2 production. Hydrogen yields [G(H₂)] from water radiolysis differ from one geological material to another. They range between 3.43 and 37.54 molecules H₂ 100eV^-1 for α-particles and and 0.27 and 1.96 molecules H₂ 100eV^-1 for γ-rays. Abyssal clay, earth’s most widespread marine sediment type, exhibits the highest yield amplification when exposed to α-particles with an average factor increase of 18 relative to pure water. Siliceous ooze and abyssal clay exhibit the highest H₂ yields when exposed to γ-rays, increasing production by factors of up to 8 and 4, respectively. Calcareous ooze (factor 5 amplification) and lithogeneous sediment (17% amplification) exhibit the smallest yield amplification under α-particle and γ-rays irradiation, respectively. Zeolite mineral slurries increase G(H₂) for α- and γ-irradiation by factors of 13 and 4, respectively (similar to abyssal clay). Our results show that substrate chemistry and specific surface area are the main factors that control radiolytic H₂ production.

The mineral-catalysis of radiolytic H2 production has significant implications for: (i) sustenance of Earth’s subsurface microbial ecosystems (ii) habitability of other planetary bodies, and (iii) nuclear industrial activities.

In electron equivalents per unit area, radiolytic H₂ production in marine sediment locally produces as much electron donor (food) as photosynthetic carbon fixation in the ocean. Although small relative to global photosynthetic biomass production, sedimentcatalyzed production of radiolytic products is significant in the subseafloor. Our analysis of 9 sites in the North Atlantic, North and South Pacific suggests that H₂ is the primary microbial fuel in oxic organic-poor sediment older than a few million years. At these sites, calculated radiolytic H₂ consumption rates are more than an order of magnitude higher than in situ organic-matter oxidation rates. Radiolytic H₂ is also a significant microbial electron donor in anoxic marine sediment older than a few million years. Oxidants from water radiolysis (O₂ and H₂O₂) are significant electron acceptors in both oxic and anoxic sediment throughout the ocean.

Discovery and quantification of the catalytic effect of clays and zeolites on radiolytic H₂ production reveals the potential risk of using geological materials for remediation and long-term disposal of nuclear waste without consideration of their catalytic potential.

Recommended Citation

Sauvage, Justine Flore, "Sedimentary Catalysis of Radiolytic Hydrogen Production" (2018). Open Access Dissertations. Paper 704.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/oa_diss/704