3-104
3500-U URANIUM
Uranium (U) is the third element in the actinide series of the
periodic table; it has an atomic number of 92, an atomic weight
of 238.04, and valences of 3, 4, and 6. The average abundance of
U in the earth’s crust is 2.3 ppm, and in soils it is 1.8 ppm.
Concentrations of uranium in drinking waters usually are ex-
pressed in terms of picocuries per liter, but that is now being
replaced by Becquerel per liter (Bq/L). The approximate con-
version factor, assuming equilibrium between 234U and 238U, is
1 ␮g uranium equals 0.67 pCi. The mean concentration of
uranium in drinking water is 1.8 pCi/L. The chief ore is ura-
ninite, or pitchblende, uranous uranate [U(UO4)2]. Uranium is
known mainly for its use in the nuclear industry, but has also
been used in glass, ceramics, and photography.
Uranium compounds are radioactive and are thereby toxic
by inhalation and ingestion. There are three natural radioiso-
Joint Task Group: 20th Edition—See 3500-Al.
METALS (3000)
topes of uranium. Uranium-238 has a half-life of 4.5 ⫻
109years, represents 99% of uranium’s natural abundance,
and is not fissionable, but can be used to form plutonium-239,
which is fissionable. Uranium-235 has a half-life of 7.1 ⫻ 108
years, represents 0.75% of uranium’s natural abundance, is
readily fissionable, and was the energy source in the original
atomic bombs. Uranium-234 has a half-life of 2.5 ⫻ 105 years
and represents only 0.006% of uranium’s natural abundance.
The common forms in natural water are U4⫹ and UO22⫹. In
natural waters below pH 5, UO22⫹ would dominate; in the pH
range of 5 to 10, soluble carbonate complexes predominate.
Although there is no U.S. EPA drinking water standard MCL
for uranium, an analysis for uranium is required if the gross
alpha activity of a water sample is greater than 15 pCi/L.
Perform analyses by the inductively coupled plasma/mass
spectrometry method (3125) or by one of the methods in 7500-U
(for regulatory compliance purposes).