THE INFLUENCE OF LIMESTONE NEUTRALIZATION ON THE SOIL UPTAKE OF Sr$sup 90$ FROM A RADIOACTIVE WASTE

Technical Report · Fri Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1958

OSTI ID:4332019

Brandt, H L; Reisenauer, A E

The relative order of affinity of the soil for Sr/sup 90/ from wastes prepared in three different ways from an acidic radioactive condensate may be explained on the basis of ion exchange and mass action. The use of calcium carbonate as a neutralizing agent can introduce enough calcium into the solution to greatly inhibit the removal by soil of Sr/sup 90/. This effect is of importance in the ground disposal of all waste solution containing more than 0.1 MPC Sr/sup 90/. The proximity of calcium to strontium in the lyotropic series suggests that calcium should compete strongly with strontium for ion exchange sites in the soil even at low concentrations of calcium. The apparent strontium competitor for exchange sites in the soil in the unneutralized condensate is the hydrogen ion. Equilibrium data give some indication that dissolution of calcium from the soil by the acid waste may be militating against greater soil uptake of strontium. The use of sodium hydroxide can effect pH control without introducing any formidable competition for the strontium ion in soil adsorption. This reagent is, therefore, generally superior to limestone for neutralizing acidic radioactive wastes when efficfent utilization of the soil for Sr/sup 90 / removal is desired. (auth)

• Research Organization: General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
• DOE Contract Number: W-31-109-ENG-52
• NSA Number: NSA-13-000720
• OSTI ID: 4332019
• Report Number(s): HW-56582
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ACIDITY
ADSORPTION
CALCIUM
CALCIUM CARBONATES
CALCIUM OXIDES
HEALTH AND SAFETY
ION EXCHANGE
LIMESTONE
NEUTRALIZATION
RADIOACTIVITY
SODIUM HYDROXIDES
SOILS
STRONTIUM 90
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE SOLUTIONS