Interaction of radionuclides with argillite from the Eleana Formation on the Nevada Test Site

Technical Report · Thu Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/59393· OSTI ID:59393

Dosch, R G; Lynch, A W

Distribution coefficients have been determined for {sup 137}Cs, {sup 85}Sr, {sup 144}Ce, {sup 99}Tc, {sup 152}Eu, {sup 238}Pu, {sup 244}Cm, and {sup 243}Am between argillite from the Eleana Formation on the Nevada Test Site (NTS) and several aqueous phases. Radionuclide concentrations in the range of 1 to 0.001 {mu}Ci/ml were used with contact times of 14, 28, and 56 days. Reaction mechanism, concentration effects, exchange capacity, equilibration times, and particle size effects were addressed in a more comprehensive study of the interaction of argillite with Cs in deionized water. The experimental parameters used in the distribution coefficient measurements were based in part on this work. The aqueous phases included a simulated groundwater with composition based on the analysis of a NTS groundwater, the same simulant and deionized water which were pre-equilibrated with powdered argillite, and a groundwater simulant with approximately the same qualitative composition of the NTS simulant, but with a higher ionic strength. A system to provide continuous pH control by CO{sub 2} addition during equilibration of the argillite-solution mixtures was designed and assembled. Initial experiments were done with Cs and Eu and the effects of pH on their distribution coefficients are discussed.

• Research Organization: Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-04-0789
• OSTI ID: 59393
• Report Number(s): SAND--78-0893
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ADSORPTION
AMERICIUM 243
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
ARGILLITE
CERIUM 144
CESIUM 137
CURIUM 244
EUROPIUM 152
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GROUND WATER
NEVADA TEST SITE
PH VALUE
PLUTONIUM 238
ROCKS
SIMULATION
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
STRONTIUM 85
TABLES
TECHNETIUM 99
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