Basic research for assessment of geologic nuclear waste repositories: What solubility and speciation studies of transuranium elements can tell us
Solubility and speciation data are important in understanding aqueous radionuclide transport through the geosphere. They define the source term for transport retardation processes such as sorption and colloid formation. Solubility and speciation data are useful in verifying the validity of geochemical codes that are part of predictive transport models. Results from solubility and speciation experiments of {sup 237}NpO{sub 2} {sup +}, {sup 239}Pu{sup 4+}, and {sup 241}Am{sup 3+}/Nd{sup 3+} in J-13 groundwater (from the Yucca Mountain region, Nevada, which is being investigated as a candidate high-level nuclear waste disposal site) at three different temperatures (25{degrees}, 60{degrees}, and 90{degrees}C) and pH values (6, 7, and 8.5) are presented and compared with published modeling calculations. The comparison results indicate that there is a great need for experimental data on the solubility and speciation of transuranium elements under a wide range of conditions, for example, pH, Eh, temperature, and composition of groundwaters. Additionally, the influence of alpha radiation and the radiolysis of the secondary transuranium solids on solubility and speciation should be studies. Solubility studies and model calculations should be extended to other important long-lived nuclear waste radionuclides such as nickel, zirconium, cadmium, radium, and thorium. 14 refs., 13 figs., 5 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 138133
- Report Number(s):
- LBL-29282; CONF-901105-126; ON: DE91013850; TRN: 91:019317
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Fall meeting of the Materials Research Society (MRS), Boston, MA (United States), 24 Nov - 1 Dec 1990; Other Information: PBD: Dec 1990
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Measured solubilities and speciations of neptunium, plutonium, and americium in a typical groundwater (J-13) from the Yucca Mountain region; Milestone report 3010-WBS 1.2.3.4.1.3.1
Measured solubilities and speciations from oversaturation experiments of neptunium, plutonium, and americium in UE-25p No. 1 well water from the Yucca Mountain region: Milestone report 3329-WBS1.2.3.4.1.3.1
Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
PLUTONIUM 239
SOLUBILITY
AMERICIUM 241
NEPTUNIUM 237
NEPTUNIUM OXIDES
GROUND WATER
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
YUCCA MOUNTAIN
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
PH VALUE
ENVIRONMENT
SOURCE TERMS
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
Yucca Mountain Project