Radionuclide partitioning coefficient in soils and plants and their correlation

Journal Article · Mon Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · Health Phys.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5439933

Sheppard, M I

A major objective of the Canadian Nuclear Fuel Waste Management Program (NFWMP) is to show that nuclear fuel wastes can be safely and permanently disposed of by immobilizing them inside corrosion resistant containers, and burying the latter deep underground in stable rock formation. The only way that radioactivity could return to the biosphere from such a waste repository would be via dissolution in ground water which might eventually migrate to the earth's surface. If this were to occur, the soil would retard the movement of any radionuclides released from the ground water. This retardation must be quantified to predict the consequent radiation dose to man. Furthermore, the absorption and transport of radionuclides in plants must be considered, especially the edible plants. A useful parameter for describing radionuclide migration in soil is the distribution coefficient, K/sub d/. The use of the distribution coefficient assumes a linear relationship between solute concentration in the solid and liquid phases.

• Research Organization: Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. Research Co., Pinawa, Manitoba
• OSTI ID: 5439933
• Journal Information: Health Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Health Phys.; (United States) Vol. 49:1; ISSN HLTPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510300* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ABSORPTION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
ISOTOPES
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
ROOT ABSORPTION
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOILS
TECHNETIUM ISOTOPES
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
UPTAKE
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WATER