Batch equilibrations were performed to investigate the ability of hydroxyap
atite (Ca-5(PO4)(3)OH) to chemically immobilize U in two contaminated sedim
ent samples having different organic carbon contents (123 and 49 g kg(-1),
respectively). Apatite additions lowered aqueous U to near proposed drinkin
g water standards in batch equilibrations of two distinct sediment strata h
aving total U concentrations of 1703 and 2100 mg kg(-1), respectively. Apat
ite addition of 50 g kg(-1) reduced the solubility of U to values less than
would be expected if autunite (Ca(UO2)(2)(PO4)(2). 10H(2)O) was the contro
lling solid phase. A comparison of the two sediment types suggests that aqu
eous phase U may be controlled by both the DOC content through complexation
and the equilibrium pH for a given apatite application rate. Sequential ch
emical extractions demonstrated that apatite amendment transfers U from mor
e chemically labile fractions, including water-soluble, exchangeable, and a
cid-soluble (pH approximate to 2.55) fractions, to the Mn-occluded fraction
(pH approximate to 1.26). This suggests that apatite amendment redirects s
olid-phase speciation with secondary U phosphates being solubilized due to
the lower pH of the Mn-occluded extractant, despite the lack of significant
quantities of Mn oxides within these sediments. Energy dispersive X-ray (E
DX) analysis conducted in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) confirme
d that apatite amendment sequesters some U in secondary Al/Fe phosphate pha
ses.