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Meta-Autunite Solubility as Related to Uranium Minerals in Concrete Waste Forms

Conference ·
OSTI ID:21091546
; ;  [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99354 (United States)
  2. Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, 80401 (United States)
  3. Fluor Hanford Inc., Richland, WA, 99354 (United States)
Previous in situ examination of U(VI) spiked concrete indicated that uranyl-oxyhydroxide phases that were initially formed, later led to the formation of mixed uranyl-oxyhydroxide/ silicates, which subsequently transformed into uranyl-silicates, and finally altered into mixed uranyl-silicate/phosphate and uranyl-phosphate phases. We conducted solubility studies of the identified final uranyl-phosphate phase (calcium meta-autunite) in phosphate solutions ranging in concentration from 0.001 - 0.1 M as a function of pH. These studies indicated a secondary phosphate phase that formed during the solubility of meta-autunite regulated the uranium concentrations at relatively low levels under high pH conditions (>12) typically encountered in cement pore waters. The importance of uranyl-phosphate minerals in concrete waste forms has, to date, been neglected because of the minimal amount of phosphorus present in most concrete compositions. However, because concrete is a continuously reacting solid, the thermodynamic stability of uranyl minerals that form at the later stages of reaction may have a substantial impact on the long-term fate of uranium in the waste forms. This study suggests that any future investigations should consider the potential benefit of including phosphorus in concrete waste forms. (authors)
Research Organization:
Materials Research Society, 506 Keystone Drive, Warrendale, PA, 15086-7573 (United States)
OSTI ID:
21091546
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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