Press releases of the Institute of Resource Ecology of the last 5 year

Foto: Clara Silva is positioning a sample for measurements in the X-ray emission spectrometer at the Rossendorf Bbeamline (ROBL). ©Copyright: Maureen Thierry / ESRF

Probing the depths of complex electron shells

Press Release of 05.09.2024

The heavy metal uranium is, besides its radioactive reputation, known for its intricate chemistry and diverse bonding behaviors. Now, an international team of scientists utilized synchrotron light at the Rossendorf Beamline (ROBL) to explore the unique properties of low-valent uranium compounds, as the researchers report in the journal Nature Communications (DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50924-7).

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Foto: Fluorescence micrograph of rat kidney cells after treatment with radioactive heavy metal ions, shown here symbolically. ©Copyright: HZDR / TUD

A closer look at cell toxins: Researchers examine how radionuclides interact with kidney cells

Press Release of 04.07.2024

When radionuclides enter our organism, whether by inhalation, ingestion, or through wounds, they pose a potential health risk. Many previous studies on radionuclide exposure have focused mainly on animal experiments. However, we have little data on toxicity at the cellular and molecular level. Kidney cells are of particular interest because in mammals they play a central role in the detoxification of bivalent, trivalent, and hexavalent radionuclides as well as other heavy metals via urinary excretion.

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Foto: Prof. Cornelius Fischer ©Copyright: privat

Cornelius Fischer zum Leipziger Universitätsprofessor berufen

News of 08.05.2024

Die Universität Leipzig hat Dr. Cornelius Fischer vom Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) im April zum Professor berufen. Im Fokus der neu geschaffenen Professur mit dem Titel „Radiochemie und Radioökologie“ steht die Erforschung der Wechselwirkung radioaktiver Nuklide mit synthetischen Materialien und der Umwelt. Gemeinsam mit seiner Abteilung der HZDR-Forschungsstelle Leipzig forscht Fischer schon seit vielen Jahren auf diesem Gebiet, insbesondere an Radiotracern – das sind radioaktiv markierte Sonden, die Rückschlüsse auf die Geschwindigkeit von chemischen Reaktionen oder Transportprozesse in Gesteinsformationen erlauben. Mit den neuen Möglichkeiten der Professur möchte er nun sein Fach sowohl im Bereich der Forschung als auch in der Lehre weiter voranbringen.

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Foto: Image of a Desulfosporosinus cell with immobilized uranium on the surface - REF ©Copyright: B. Schröder / HZDR

Uranium-immobilizing bacteria in clay rock: Microbial reduction reduces mobility of uranium compounds

Press Release of 16.04.2024

When designing repositories for high-level radioactive waste in deep geological layers, various factors must be carefully considered to ensure their long-term safety. Among other things, natural communities of microorganisms can influence the behavior of the waste, especially when it comes into contact with water. The microorganisms interact with released radionuclides and influence their mobility. Researchers at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) have taken a closer look at a microorganism that occurs in the vicinity of a potential repository.

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Foto: Prof. Kristina Kvashnina & Dr. Larysa Baraban ©Copyright: Collage: HZDR/Denis Morel; HZDR/Anja Schneider

Besondere Anerkennung für herausragende Forschung

Press Release of 15.03.2024

Zwei HZDR-Forscherinnen haben parallel den wohl wichtigsten Schritt in ihren akademischen Karrieren geschafft: Die Physikerinnen Prof. Kristina Kvashnina und Dr. Larysa Baraban sind von ihren jeweiligen Partnerhochschulen in Kooperation mit dem HZDR auf Professuren berufen worden.

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Foto: Magnetotactic bacteria ©Copyright: B. Schröder/HZDR

Magnetic bacteria: filigree sewage plants

Press Release of 09.05.2023

A research team at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) has managed to purify water containing uranium using a special kind of bacteria known as magnetotactic bacteria. The name derives from their ability to react to magnetic fields. They can accumulate dissolved heavy metals in their cell walls. These research findings (DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129376) also shed new light on the interaction between uranium and bioligands.

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Foto: Joint project FENABIUM ©Copyright: AK Weigand

Nuclear safety research: Joint project FENABIUM II investigates interactions of radioactive substances with biological systems

Press Release of 02.05.2023

In the joint project FENABIUM II, researchers from Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) and Leipzig University are investigating the interactions of the so-called f-elements with biomolecules. The aim of the basic research project is to use the findings to derive structure-activity principles that come into effect if these elements were set free in geo- and bio systems. Hence, the project should permit a risk assessment, especially with regard to the entry of these elements into the food chain. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research is funding the joint project with a total of almost 2.9 million euros.

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Foto: Nina Maria Huittinen - reference picture ©Copyright: HZDR/André Wirsig

Nina Huittinen wird Professorin an FU Berlin

News of 25.04.2023

Die FU Berlin hat Dr. Nina Huittinen vom HZDR zur Professorin für anorganische Chemie ernannt. Die Wissenschaftlerin vom Institut für Ressourcenökologie hat ihre neue Stelle zum Beginn des Sommersemesters im April 2023 angetreten. Bei der Professur handelt es sich um eine Vertretungsposition mit einer Laufzeit von zunächst eineinhalb Jahre.

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Foto: Dr. Christoph Hennig performing the experiment at the Rossendorf-Beamline (ROBL) in Grenoble. ©Copyright: HZDR / P. Jayet

Different X-ray techniques combined: Sophisticated mix of methods offers improved structure analysis

Press Release of 20.02.2023

Sometimes scientists have to accept that a method they have used for years fails under certain conditions. Such a failure calls for a careful analysis of the shortcomings and their subsequent elimination. An international team from the University of Regensburg, the University of Durham and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) has now done precisely this.

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Foto: Common Split-Gill (Schizophyllum commune) ©Copyright: Bernard Spragg/ Public Domain

Not all mushrooms are alike: How fine underground braids could remedy heavy metal contamination

Press Release of 02.01.2023

Among domestic mushroom pickers in Germany it goes without saying that many edible mushrooms in our forests are still contaminated with radionuclides as a result of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Less well known is that mushrooms can also accumulate other heavy metals. A team from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) has now investigated the specifics of the interaction of four different fungal species with europium as a non-radioactive and chemical analogue for certain actinides and other representatives of the rare earth elements (DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158160). The scientists are thus deciphering the migration behavior of radionuclides in the environment: details that are indispensable both for a hazard assessment and for the development of industrial remediation or extraction procedures.

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Foto: Dr. Natalia Mayordomo Herranz ©Copyright: HZDR

A closer look at hidden interactions: New BMBF young investigator group sheds light on technetium

Press Release of 14.09.2022

With a half-life of about 210,000 years, the radioactive isotope technetium-99 (99Tc), which is produced in nuclear reactors by fission of the uranium isotope 235U, plays a central role in the question of safe final disposal of radioactive materials. Nevertheless, it is still largely unclear how technetium behaves in the environment after release. A new young investigator group called "TecRad" led by Dr. Natalia Mayordomo Herranz of Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) now aims to close this gap with a variety of advanced methods. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding the project with 1.87 million euros over the next five years.

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Foto: Dr. Juliane März ©Copyright: Amac Garbe/HZDR

Building scaffolds using exotic elements: Research team succeeds in creating novel metal-organic frameworks

Press Release of 09.09.2022

Discovered 25 years ago, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) quickly gained the aura of a “miracle material” due to their particular properties: their large inner surfaces and tuneable pore sizes facilitate improved applications, for example in materials separation and gas storage. While previous representatives were mainly based on transition metals like copper and zinc, a team at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) has explored more exotic parts of the periodic table: they investigated analogous compounds with actinides as the inorganic component. In this way, they are helping, among other things, to promote the safe disposal of radioactive materials.

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Foto: Moderatorin Susanne Jaster im Gespräch mit Dr. Sören Kliem. ©Copyright: Biermann-Jung Kommunikation & Film

„Gute Frage“ - Gute Antworten von HZDR-Wissenschaftlern

Highlight of 11.05.2022

In der neuen Ausgabe des Videoformats „Gute Frage“ der TU Dresden geht es um das Thema Kernenergie. Kein Wunder, dass hier gleich zwei Wissenschaftler vom Institut für Ressourcenökologie des HZDR ausführlich zu Wort kommen: Prof. Thorsten Stumpf wurde zu Endlagerung von Atommüll befragt, Dr. Sören Kliem zum Thema Reaktorsicherheit und welche Rolle die Wissenschaft künftig auf diesem Gebiet noch spielen kann, wenn es in Deutschland kaum noch Atomkraftwerke gibt.

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Foto: Dust near mine dumps in Johannesburg, South Africa. REF ©Copyright: Angela Mathee/SAMRC

Detecting Heavy Metals in Hair Samples

Press Release of 09.05.2022

South Africa is home to the largest known gold deposit on Earth, the Witwatersrand basin near Johannesburg. When mining the desired precious metal, harmful, toxic and radioactive mining waste comes to the surface as a byproduct. An international research team, which involves scientists from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), is helping to determine the degree of uranium contamination and identify which populations are most at risk. To do so, the Dresden researchers are analyzing individual hair samples.

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Foto: Isar Nuclear Power Plant ©Copyright: PreussenElektra GmbH

Zeit gewinnen, Unfälle vermeiden

Press Release of 01.10.2020

Am Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) analysieren Wissenschaftler*innen eine Vielzahl von Stör- und Unfallszenarien in Kernkraftwerken, um wirksame Handlungsempfehlungen für das Notfallmanagement abzuleiten. In einer aktuellen Veröffentlichung im Fachjournal Nuclear Engineering and Design (DOI: 10.1016/j.nucengdes.2020.110663) stellen sie Strategien vor, die bei einem länger andauernden Stromausfall den Handelnden zusätzliche Zeit für wirksame Gegenmaßnahmen verschaffen sollen.

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