Application of different lights in solving the marine biofouling problem of uranium extraction from seawater

Abstract

Marine biofouling remains a big problem of uranium (U(VI)) extraction from seawater. To better utilize sunlight in future, the anti-biofouling properties of typical light sources were evaluated, and ultraviolet (UV) light shows best anti-biofouling capability among studied lights. UV light can damage the cellular structure and intercept the proliferation of marine microorganisms (such as V. alginolyticus), and further control its extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Microorganism community results clarify that UV light well represses the reproduction and survival of marine microorganisms under different conditions (such as temperature and region), which is in favor of U(VI) extraction. The adsorption capacity of classical U(VI) extraction material poly(amidoxime) (PAO) for U(VI) outstandingly recycled from 47.5 mg/g to 68.5 mg/g after UV irradiated for 12 h at pH 8.2 and 25 °C. UV light can well solve the marine biofouling problem of U(VI) extraction from seawater.