Partitioning of strontium-90 among aqueous and mineral species in a contaminated aquifer
The geochemical partitioning of a toxic metal contaminant, /sup 90/Sr, during its migration through a shallow sand aquifer is discussed. Adsorption of /sup 90/Sr from the contaminated groundwaters (pH approx. 6, I approx.0.001) causes it to have a migration velocity of only 3% of that of transporting ground water. Five microscopically identified adsorbents were isolated in the aquifer sediments and showed the following affinity sequence for /sup 90/Sr: vermiculite > feldspar > biotite > muscovite > quartz. While 4a80% of the adsorbed /sup 90/Sr is exchangeable with 0.1 M SrCl/sub 2/, the residual adsorbed /sup 90/Sr is strongly correlated with extractable Fe, Al, and Mn, suggesting specific adsorption by these metal oxides. An equilibrium adsorption model was used to determine the partitioning of /sup 90/Sr between adsorbents and between solid and solution phases. Over 90% of all /sup 90/SR in the aquifer is adsorbed. Approximately 90% of all adsorbed /sup 90/SR is equally divided between vermiculite and feldspar minerals.
- Research Organization:
- Environment Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
- OSTI ID:
- 5966784
- Journal Information:
- Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 17:4; ISSN ESTHA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ADSORPTION
ALKALINE EARTH ISOTOPES
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM SILICATES
AQUIFERS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CHEMISTRY
CORRELATIONS
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FELDSPARS
GEOCHEMISTRY
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ION EXCHANGERS
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
ION EXCHANGE MATERIALS
IRON
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON SILICATES
ISOTOPES
MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS
MAGNESIUM SILICATES
MANGANESE
MASS TRANSFER
MATERIALS
METALS
MICA
MINERALS
NUCLEI
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
SILICATE MINERALS
SILICATES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SORPTION
STRONTIUM 90
STRONTIUM ISOTOPES
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VERMICULITE
WATER
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES