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Title: Iron (II) sorption to mineral surfaces in uranyl and silicate rich media

Conference ·
OSTI ID:877112

Abstract - The unique composition of the Yucca Mountain repository site, which contains large concentrations of silicate in an oxidative environment, has required extensive research into compound formation involving uranium and iron(II) under such conditions. The possibility of uranium leakage from within the containment vessels into the near-field ground water, as well as iron leaching from the vessel itself, necessitates study of the individual contributions of these elements for compound formation. By mimicking the known silicate concentration found in surrounding ground water and varying concentrations of both uranyl and iron(II), subsequent precipitation of uranyl silicate phases has shown evidence of iron(II) sorption to the available sites on the mineral surface. The mineralization seems to be driven by the formation of uranyl silicate, in contrast to iron(III)-control of precipitation in the oxidated system. We present characterization of this system using ICP-AES/MS, EDAX, XRD, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Research Organization:
University of Nevada, Las Vegas Research Foundation
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE - Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (RW)
DOE Contract Number:
FC28-04RW12237
OSTI ID:
877112
Report Number(s):
DOE/RW/12237-2006-3; TRN: US0702469
Resource Relation:
Conference: ACS 231st National Meeting & Exposition Conference
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English