Sorption of Sr(II) and Eu(III) onto pyrite under different redox potential conditions

Understanding sorption processes is fundamental for the prediction of radionuclide migration in the surroundings of a deep geological disposal of high-level nuclear wastes. Pyrite (FeS2) is a mineral phase often present as inclusions in temperate soils. Moreover, it constitutes an indirect corrosion product of steel, a containment material that is candidate to confine radionuclides in deep geological disposals. The present study was thus initiated to determine the capacity of pyrite to immobilize Sr(II) and Eu(III). An air oxidized pyrite and a freshly acid-washed (non-oxidized) pyrite were used in background electrolytes of varying reducing-oxidizing ability (NaCl, NH3OHCl, and NaClO4) to study the sorption of both cationic species. The sorptive capacity of pyrite appeared directly correlated to the oxidation of the surface. Non-oxidized pyrite had nearly no affinity for the studied cations whereas Sr(II) and Eu(III) species were significantly retained by oxidized pyrite surface. Using the surface complexation theory, sorption mechanisms were modeled with the Fiteql v3.2 and the Jchess 2.0 codes. Sorption of both Sr and Eu was well fitted, assuming hydroxylated species as the major surface species. This study demonstrates that not only the components of a barrier but also the redox conditions and specifications should be well characterized to predict transport of contaminants in the surrounding of a nuclear wastes disposal.