The goal of radioecological research at the Institute of Radiochemistry is the protection of people and the environment from the hazards caused by radioactive heavy metals, namely the actinides (Thorium, Uranium, Neptunium, Plutonium, Curium and Americium) in the geo- and biosphere. Within the research program Environment and Safety the institute contributes to the program area Radioecology.

The molecular interaction mechanisms of actinides in geo- and biosystems and during transfer processes must be identified to gain a better knowledge about the macroscopic phenomena.

The focus of our research is on the interaction of actinides with biomolecular surfaces. There, the whole range from investigating bacterial diversity in contaminated environments to a direct measurement of actinide speciation in plants is covered.

With regard to transfer processes in the geosphere the migration of radionuclides in aqueous media, either dissolved or in colloidal form, but also on the interactions with minerals and rocks, are of utmost importance.

Applications of the research fall into three major categories: development and validation of remediation measures to clean-up the legacy of uranium mining, long-term safety assessment of nuclear waste disposals, determination of the environmental behavior of radioactive contaminations due to accidents.