Comparison of U(VI) removal from contaminated groundwater by nanoporous alumina and non-nanoporous alumina

► The U(VI) contaminated groundwater is from Area 2 of Oak Ridge Field Research Center. ► The sorption of U(VI) on nanoporous alumina is dominated by inner-sphere complexation. ► The nanoporous alumina has high sorption capacity and chemical affinity towards U(VI). ► The nanoporous alumina can be used as a promising backfill material in wastewater disposal.