The effect of plutonium oxidation state on its sorption in soils from the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory
- Clemson Univ., SC (United States)
- Rust Clemson Technical Center, Anderson, SC (United States)
Laboratory experiments were performed to study the sorption of plutonium in basalt, interbed material, and surface soil from the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL). The specific objectives were to determine the effect of oxidation state on the sorptive behavior of plutonium and to determine the effect of the soil on the oxidation state of plutonium remaining in solution. Batch and column studies were performed using solutions containing either Pu(IV), Pu(V), Pu(VI). In the batch tests, distribution coefficients were determined by measurement of the aqueous phase concentrations and calculation of the solid phase from a mass balance. Distribution coefficients were found to vary with the initial plutonium oxidation state, being highest for Pu(IV) and lowest for Pu(VI). They also varied with the soil, being highest in surface soil and lowest in basalt. In the column studies, qualitative differences were observed in the shapes of the breakthrough curves depending on the initial oxidation state of the plutonium introduced to the system and the type of soil. For example, in basalt, large fractions (more than 50%) of the plutonium exhibited little or no sorption and traveled through the column very quickly. The breakthrough curves raise questions about the validity of using a single distribution coefficient as a means of quantifying plutonium transport. In both batch and column tests the soil served to reduce the plutonium when it was introduced in the higher oxidation states.
- OSTI ID:
- 393983
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9607135-; ISSN 0017-9078; TRN: 96:028666
- Journal Information:
- Health Physics, Vol. 70, Issue Suppl.6; Conference: 41. Annual Meeting of the Health Physics Society, Seattle, WA (United States), 21-25 Jul 1996; Other Information: PBD: Jun 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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