The uptake of radioisotopes onto clays and other natural materials

Montmorillonite and illite clays were examined for their ability to take up cesium and strontium radioisotopes from solution. Uptakes onto near homoionic Na, Ca, Mg and Sr clays were assessed by distribution coefficients measured at different Na, Cs, Mg, Ca and Sr solution concentrations. Some experiments were carried out at different pH, and to check the effect of differing anions. In addition measurements of the uptake of ruthenium species were made.