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Affinity of radioactive cesium and strontium for illite and smectite clay in the presence of groundwater ions

Journal Article · · Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A: Environmental Science and Engineering
;  [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Korea Atomic Energy Research Inst., Taejeon (Korea, Republic of)
  2. Seoul National Univ. (Korea, Republic of)
  3. Keimyung Univ., Taegu (Korea, Republic of)

Sorption behavior of hazardous nuclides such as {sup 137}Cs and {sup 90}Sr onto illite and smectite clay was studied in the presence of major groundwater ions (Ca{sup 2+}, Mg{sup 2+}, K{sup +}, Na{sup +} and HCO{sub 3}{sup -}). Illite and smectite clay can selectively sorb small hydrated Cs{sup +} ion in the presence of groundwater cations except K{sup +} ion. In contrast, sorption of larger and stable hydrated Sr{sup 2+} ion onto illite and smectite clay is highly competed by background groundwater cations. The results of this study indicate that the transport of {sup 137}Cs in geologic barrier of a radioactive waste repository would be greatly retained by illite and smectite clay, and that the fate of {sup 90}Sr would be significantly controlled by ionic strength of groundwater cations and bicarbonate ion as a complex agent. 29 refs., 6 figs., 4 tabs.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
420737
Journal Information:
Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A: Environmental Science and Engineering, Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A: Environmental Science and Engineering Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 31; ISSN 0360-1226; ISSN JESEDU
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English