1985 Seaborg Award: Gregory R. Choppin

Award Statement C&EN (Page 3)

Choppin received a B.S. from Loyola University and Ph.D. from the University of Texas, Austin.

Choppin has contributed much to the understanding of the nuclear fission process, identification of nuclear properties, and to the production of new heavy element isotopes. But it is in elucidating the nuclear chemistry and radiochemistry of the 4f- and 5f-transition elements, particularly the actinides, that his contributions are specially recognized.

While at Berkeley he co-discovered mendelevium.

Choppin has developed a keen ability for sensing potential applications of his fundamental research to a variety of practical problems. Some of his recent investigations are particularly relevant in assessing the behavior of actinides and lanthanide fission products in the environment. Among these are studies of the interaction of actinides and lanthanides with humic and fulvic acids, solution chemistry of the actinides, thermodynamics of plutonium(VI) interactions with bicarbonate, interaction of uranyl ions with carbonate ions, kinetics of the reduction of plutonium(VI) by dicarboxylic acids, and the speciation of plutonium in seawater and fresh water.

Choppin Obituary

Wikipedia Page