Press releases of the Institute of Resource Ecology of the last 5 year
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wie Urbakterien Uran & Co. ausbremsen
Press Release of 25.07.2019
Mikroorganismen, die natürlicherweise in Salzlagerstätten siedeln, wandeln Schwermetalle in unlösliche Minerale um. Am Beispiel von Uran und Curium konnten Forscher des Helmholtz-Zentrums Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) zeigen, dass diese „Biomineralisation“ bei niedrigen Konzentrationen der toxischen Schwermetalle vergleichsweise effektiv verläuft. Der natürliche Vorgang kann demnach die potenzielle Ausbreitung gelöster Metalle im Wirtsgestein Salz bremsen. Die Forschungsergebnisse sollen in die Sicherheitsbewertung künftiger Endlagerstätten für hochradioaktiven Abfall aus Kernkraftwerken einfließen.
