Migration of134Cs and85Sr in clay materials

Retardation mechanisms of¹³⁴Cs and⁸⁵Sr have been investigated. Batch determination of distribution coefficientK _d have been carried out for various values of factors affecting retardation such as solid-liquid ratio, particle size, composition of solid phase. Various types of bentonites and mixtures of bentonites with sand have been also studied.     

Sorption of 134Cs radionuclide onto insoluble ferrocyanide loaded silica-gel

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Insoluble Ferrocyanide composites prepared for studying 134Cs sorption from aqueous solutions. Two different preparation techniques are used;...     

Sorption behavior of 85Sr onto manganese oxides with tunnel structure

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Sorption behavior of strontium ions on manganese oxides obtained by sol–gel technique reduction of KMnO4 by different reagents (H2O2, MnCl2...     

Migration of85Sr and137Cs in vertical soil profiles

The vertical distribution of⁸⁵Sr and¹³⁷Cs in undisturbed single-contaminated agricultural soils have been studied during their irrigation with wet atmospheric precipitation in dependence on time under laboratory conditions for about one year. The soil samples were collected from several localities in the environment of nuclear power plants at Dukovany and Jaslovské Bohunice using a special auger. The samples were placed into polyethylene columns of 9 cm in diameter and 20 cm in height. The activity of radionuclides in soil profiles after their separation into single layers were counted by Ge(Li) semiconductor gamma-spectrometry. Based on the exponential depth distribution of radionuclides, the values of their migration parameters as relaxation depth, migration rate and retardation factor were calculated. The influence of the permanent grass cover and of the applied zeolite on the migration parameters of these radionuclides was also investigated. Presented at the Conference “Nukleonika '98”, Prague, Czech Republic, 9–10 September 1998, dedicated to late Professor František Běhounek in honour of his 100th birthday.     

Sorption of technetium and rhenium on natural sorbents under aerobic conditions

The uptake of technetium on bentonite materials has been studied from the point of view of the characterization of long-term radioactive elements behavior in nuclear waste repository. It is generally known that bentonite materials show an excellent cation-exchange capacity and on the other hand a poor uptake of anions. The aim of our research has been to find out the conditions suitable for technetium sorption on selected bentonite under oxidizing conditions. The influence of the addition of different materials (e.g., activated carbon, graphite, Fe²⁺, Fe) with bentonite, the effect of solid:aqueous phase ratio and a pH value on the percentage of technetium uptake and on the K _d values were tested.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Sorption of the long-lived radionuclides cesium-134, strontium-85 and cobalt-60 on bentonite

The sorption of long-lived radionuclides of cesium, strontium and cobalt (¹³⁴Cs, ⁸⁵Sr and ⁶⁰Co) on bentonite under various experimental conditions, such as contact time, pH, sorbent and sorbate concentrations have been studied. The uptake of Cs and Sr was rapid and equilibrium was reached almost instantaneously in both the cases, while Co sorption was time dependent. The sorption of these nuclides increased by increasing pH. The uptake of Cs, Sr and Co increased with increasing the amount of the bentonite clay. The percentage sorption for Cs, Sr and Co decreased with increasing metal concentrations. The desorption studies with 0.01M CaCl₂ and ground water at low-metal loadings on bentonite showed that about 95% of Cs, 85-90% of Sr and 97% of Co were irreversibly sorbed. These results could be helpful for nuclear waste management, for waste water effluents containing low concentrations of cesium, strontium and cobalt.     

Vitrification of Cs and Sr loaded Iranian natural and synthetic zeolites

Summary This study deals with the treatment of Cs⁺and Sr²⁺by using natural clinoptilolite from Ardakan region (Yazd province) of Iran and its relevant zeolite P as well as the vitrification process for immobilizing the Cs and Sr radionuclides in borosilicate glass matrices. The evaluation of various samples was carried out using X-ray techniques (XRF, XRD) as well as atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) for leaching experiments.     

The determination of 134Cs and 22Na diffusion profiles in granodiorite using gamma spectroscopy

Spent nuclear fuel repository safety evaluation today requires both laboratory and in situ field work in order to assess the parameters affecting the sorption and diffusion of radionuclides. Recent investigations at the Grimsel test site suggest that non-conservative errors in transport properties derived from laboratory scale experiments can lead to over-conservative estimates of matrix diffusion depths. As a result, the geosphere’s capability to retain radionuclides may be underestimated. In this study the in situ diffusion and the sorption of ¹³⁴Cs and ²²Na into granodiorite were determined using gamma spectroscopy. Autoradiography was used to reveal the minerals into which the radionuclides were sorbed. A rock sample was obtained from the Grimsel underground in situ diffusion test site in Switzerland. In the in situ test, a solution containing several different radionuclides was circulated continuously in a packed-off injection hole for two years and three months in order to study diffusion of the radionuclides into the surrounding bedrock. The gamma measurements show that in the course of the experiment ¹³⁴Cs diffused 2.5 cm and ²²Na 10 cm into the rock matrix, respectively. Caesium was found to have sorbed on mafic minerals biotite and chlorite. Results of this study were used in order to calculate an in situ effective diffusion coefficient for caesium and sodium in Grimsel granodiorite.     

Sorption and diffusion of aliphatic hydrocarbons into crosslinked natural rubber

The sorption and transport of four aliphatic hydrocarbons into natural rubber crosslinked by different vulcanization systems [conventional (CV), efficient (EV), peroxide (DCP) and a mixed system consisting of sulfur and peroxide (mixed)] were investigated in the temperature interval of 28–60°C. Of the four systems, natural rubber vulcanized by DCP exhibited lowest penetrant uptake. It was observed that the kinetics of liquid sorption in every case deviates from the regular Fickian trend, characteristic of sorption of liquids by rubbers. The diffusion coefficient, activation energy of sorption, enthalpy, entropy, and the rubber-solvent interaction parameter were evaluated for the four systems from the swelling data. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35: 725–734, 1997     

Sorption of metal cations on natural sorbents: Current state,problems and prospects

Data obtained in recent years that characterize the sorption capacity of natural sorbents with respect to the cations of a number of metals from nonexchangeable solutions and working fluids are generalized. We develop a technique for estimating the slip of pollutants with solutions in which the concentration of toxic cations does not exceed regulatory requirements. A method for calculating the kinetic curves of sorption is considered, which makes it possible to estimate the concentration of the pollutant coming out of the adsorber and the specific dynamic capacity of the sorbent to any current point of time from the beginning of the process.     

Distribution coefficients of137Cs and85Sr by mixtures of clay and humic material

Distribution coefficients K_d for the sorption of Cs and Sr on mixtures of a clay mineral (Ca-saturated bentonite) and humic material (Ca-humate) have been measured and were compared with calculated values obtained from the K_d-values observed for the pure components. The concentration of Sr and Cs in the solution was varied between 1·10^–6 and 0.01N and the distribution of the elements determined by using radioactive tracers. All experiments were carried out in pure water as well as in the presence of a supporting electrolyte (0.01N CaCl₂). It was found that the differences between the observed and calculated K_d-values were, if present, always negative if Cs was sorbed, and positive if Sr was sorbed.     

Application of inorganic sorbents for removal of Cs, Sr, Pu and Am from contaminated solutions

A sorption ability of titanium silicates (TiSi) and iron oxides towards Cs, Sr, Pu and Am was tested using the laboratory batch method. The obtained results are expressed as distribution coefficients (K_d). TiSi synthesised using TiOSO₄ revealed better sorption ability towards all studied radionuclides in comparison with TiSi produced on the basis of TiCl₄. The K_d values ranged from 3.9 × 10² to 1.6 × 10⁵ mL g⁻¹ for Sr, from 6 to 4.1 × 10⁴ mL g⁻¹ for Cs, from 2.2 × 10² to 2.6 × 10⁵ mL g⁻¹ for Pu and from 50 to 1.6 × 10⁴ mL g⁻¹ for Am. The highest Pu K_d values (9 × 10³–6.2 × 10⁴ mL g⁻¹) and better kinetics were found for iron oxides.     

Vertical migration of 85Sr, 137Cs and 131I in various arable and undisturbed soils

The vertical migration of ⁸⁵Sr, ¹³⁷Cs and ¹³¹I in some arable and undisturbed single-contaminated soils was studied by gamma-spectrometry measurements under lysimetric laboratory conditions during irrigation of the soil profiles with wet atmospheric precipitation for about one year, except ¹³¹I. A new simple exponential compartment (box) model was derived, which makes it possible to calculate the migration rate constants and migration rates in the individual soil layers (vertical sections) as well as the total vertical migration rate constants and total vertical migration rates of radionuclides in the bulk soil horizon. The relaxation times of radionuclides in respective soil horizons can also be evaluated.     

Sorption of arsenic onto inorganic sorbents modified with iron compounds

Granulated inorganic sorbents based on silica gel of KSKG grade and aluminum oxide and modified with Fe(III) compounds were developed for water treatment to remove As(V). The influence of the particle size of the modifying additive on the ability of silica gel to take up As(V) was examined. The KSKG-based sorbents modified with nanoparticles of Fe(III) compounds exhibit the highest sorption capacity. The capacity of silica gel based sorbents modified with nanoparticles of iron compounds for As(V) is higher than that of analogous sorbents modified with iron oxides prepared by thermal decomposition of Fe(III) nitrate.     

Sorption and kinetic properties of radiocesium-selective organomineral sorbents

Comparative analysis of the sorption and kinetic properties was carried out for organomineral sorbents synthesized by two routes: (1) from an organomineral suspension and (2) from aqueous-organic solutions.     

Sorption and diffusion of 90Sr2+in compacted bentonite investigated by a capillary method

Summary The effects of bentonite density and fulvic acid on the sorption and diffusion of ⁹⁰Sr²⁺in compacted bentonite were investigated by using a capillary method. The experiments were carried out at pH 7.0±0.1 in the presence of 0.01M NaClO₄. The results suggest that the sorption and diffusion of ⁹⁰Sr²⁺in compacted bentonite decreases with increasing the density of compacted bentonite. The presence of FA enhances the sorption of Sr²⁺, but reduces the diffusion of Sr²⁺in compacted bentonite. The porosity of the compacted bentonite plays an important role in the sorption and diffusion behavior of ⁹⁰Sr²⁺. Using the calculated effective diffusion coefficients the long-term relative concentration distribution of strontium was evaluated in compacted bentonite.     

Migration characteristics of radionuclides 85+89Sr2+, 134Cs+, 125I-, 75SeO3 2- and 152+154Eu(III) in Chinese soils

The migration of radionuclides ⁸⁵⁺⁸⁹Sr²⁺, ¹³⁴Cs⁺, ¹²⁵I^- and ⁷⁵SeO₃ ^2- in calcareous soil from Yuzhong county of Gansu Province (China) at pH 7.8±0.2 and ^152+154Eu(III) in red earth from Yingtan county of Jiangxi Province (China) at pH 4.6±0.2, in presence of CaCl₂ was studied using column experiments. Results indicate that the negative anions, iodide and selenide are mobile nuclides while the migration of positive cations is related to the sorption capacity for the element. Iodide can be assumed to be non-reactive in calcareous soil. The breakthrough curves (BTCs) were fitted to the analytical solution or numerical solution of one-dimensional convection-dispersion transport models. Good agreements were obtained between the measured and predicted concentration profiles.     

Selectivity for Cs and Sr in Nb-substituted titanosilicate with sitinakite topology

The 25% niobium substituted crystalline titanosilicate with the composition Na_1.5Nb_0.5Ti_1.5O₃SiO₄·2H₂O (Nb-TS) was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Its selectivity for radioactive ¹³⁷Cs and ⁸⁹Sr was compared with the TS, Na₂Ti₂O₃SiO₄·2H₂O, having sitinakite topology. The Nb-TS shows significantly higher uptake value for ¹³⁷Cs but lower for ⁸⁹Sr than the TS. To investigate the origin of selectivity, the ion exchanged Cs⁺ and Sr²⁺ forms with the composition, Cs_xNaH_yNb_0.5Ti_1.5O₃SiO₄·zH₂O (x=0.1, 0.2 and 0.3, x+y=0.5 and z=1-2) and Sr_0.2Na_0.6H_0.5Nb_0.5Ti_1.5O₃SiO₄·H₂O, respectively, were structurally characterized from the X-ray powder diffraction data using the Rietveld refinement technique. Simultaneously the kinetics of ¹³⁷Cs and ⁸⁹Sr uptake was investigated for the Nb^V free and doped samples. While the Cs⁺ and Sr²⁺ exchanged form of Nb-TS and the Cs⁺ exchanged form of TS retain the symmetry of the parent compound, the Sr²⁺ exchanged form of TS undergoes a symmetry change. The differences in the uptake of Cs⁺ and Sr²⁺ result from the different coordination environments of cesium and strontium in the eight-ring channel, that result from various hydration sites in the tunnel. The origin of selectivity appears to arise from the higher coordination number of cesium or strontium. Other effects due to Nb^V substitution are reflected in the increase of both, the a- and c-dimensions and thus the unit cell volume, and the population of water vs. Na⁺ in the channel to charge-balance the Nb⁵⁺↔Ti⁴⁺ substitution.     

Activities evolution of Chernobyl103Ru,134Cs and137Cs in Cluj fallout

The evolution of Chernobyl¹⁰³Ru,¹³⁴Cs and¹³⁷Cs in accumulated fallout is rigorously followed. The¹⁰³Ru activity of about 12 kBq.m^–2 in the middle of May 1986 became insignificant at the end of 1986, while the levels of¹³⁴Cs and¹³⁷Cs have changed during 3 years from 2.5 kBq.m^–2, respectively, 5 kBq.m^–2 to about 0.9 kBq.m^–2, respectively 4.7 kBq.m^–2 according to their proper half-lives.