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Title: Sorption behavior of neptunium on bentonite -- Effect of calcium ion on the sorption

Book ·
OSTI ID:382880
; ;  [1]
  1. Japan Atomic Energy Research Inst., Tokai, Ibaraki (Japan). Dept. of Environmental Safety Research

The sorption behavior of neptunium on bentonite was studied with batch type sorption and desorption experiments over a pH range of 2 to 8. A series of parallel studies using Na-smectite, Ca-smectite and admixtures of Na-smectite and calcite quantified the capacity of Ca{sup 2+} (which occurs in bentonite as an exchangeable cation of smectite and as a component of calcite) to inhibit the sorption of neptunium. The distribution coefficient (K{sub d}) of neptunium for bentonite was constant from pH 2 to 7, while for pure Na-smectite K{sub d} increased below pH 5 due to specific sorption of neptunium on Na-smectite. Specific sorption was defined as occurring when neptunium could be desorbed by a strong acid (1 M HCl) but was stable in the presence of 1 M KCl. It was found that the quantity of neptunium sorbed on Na-smectite was inversely proportional to the concentration of Ca{sup 2+} in solution, an effect most pronounced at pH < 5. These results show that Ca{sup 2+} limits the specific sorption capacity of Na-smectite for neptunium. Similarly, in the mixture of Na-smectite and calcite, sufficient Ca{sup 2+} was solubilized to depress neptunium sorption. This investigation demonstrates that Ca{sup 2+} contained in bentonite as exchangeable cation and released from calcite reduces the specific sorption of neptunium.

OSTI ID:
382880
Report Number(s):
CONF-941075-; ISBN 1-55899-253-7; TRN: 96:025772
Resource Relation:
Conference: 18. international symposium on the scientific basis for nuclear waste management, Kyoto (Japan), 23-27 Oct 1994; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Scientific basis for nuclear waste management 18. Part 2; Murakami, Takashi [ed.] [Ehime Univ., Matsuyama, Ehime (Japan). Dept. of Earth Sciences]; Ewing, R.C. [ed.] [Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (United States). Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences]; PB: 690 p.; Materials Research Society symposium proceedings, Volume 353
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English