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Effect of fulvic and humic acids and inorganic phase of soil on the sorption and extractability of /sup 239/Pu(IV)

Journal Article · · Soil Sci.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5735043

The effect of organic (fulvic and humic acids) and inorganic fractions of soil on the sorption and extractability of /sup 239/Pu(IV) as a function of pH was determined by using an equilibrium batch technique. The results indicated that Pu(IV) is strongly sorbed on the inorganic fraction of the soil under soil pH conditions normally encountered in natural environments. Plutonium appeared to form stable complexes or chelates with fulvic and humic acids in the pH range studied (1.3 to 11.7). In mixtures of pure fulvic or humic acids with soil inorganic fractions, extractability of Pu was substantially influenced by organic-inorganic interaction. The influence of the inorganic fractions was most evident in the lower pH ranges, whereas that of the organic materials was most evident in the higher pH ranges, generally above pH 6. Some implications of the results on plutonium movement in soils were discussed.

Research Organization:
Univ. of California, Los Angeles
OSTI ID:
5735043
Journal Information:
Soil Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Soil Sci.; (United States) Vol. 128:5; ISSN SOSCA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English