Radionuclide sorption on basalt-interbed materials. Annual report FY 1981

Technical Report · Fri Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982

OSTI ID:6494409

Barney, G S

Sorption and precipitation of key radionuclides in the groundwater/rock systems expected in Columbia River interbed zones were investigated. Sorption isotherms were defined for sorption of Cs, Sr, Se, Tc, Ra, U, Np, and Am on an interbed sandstone standard from the Rattlesnake Ridge interbed. In addition, the effect of groundwater composition and redox potential on sorption and precipitation of these radionuclides on interbed sandstone and tuff were studied. Isotherms were measured at 23/sup 0/C, 60/sup 0/C, and 85/sup 0/C. The Freundlich equation accurately fits the isotherm data when precipitation does not occur. Solubility limits were obtained for technetium and selenium using the isotherms. Cesium, selenium, technetium, uranium, and americium sorption are strongly affected by temperature over the 23/sup 0/C to 85/sup 0/C range. The major chemical components of Grande Ronde groundwater (Na/sup +/, Ca/sup 2 +/, K/sup +/, Mg/sup 2 +/, Cl/sup -/, F/sup -/, CO/sub 3//sup 2 -/, HCO/sub 3//sup -/, and SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/) were studied for their influence on sorption and precipitation. Statistically designed experiments identified significant groundwater components and measured their effects. The results gave evidence for selecting sorption mechanisms for each radionuclide (ion exchange, chemisorption, redox reactions, complex formation, or precipitation). Strontium, radium, and cesium are sorbed by ion exchange and compete for exchange sites with ions of similar size. Neptunium, plutonium, and technetium are reduced by hydrazine to their (IV) oxidation states and are sorbed by chemisorption. Selenium is not reduced to the metal by hydrazine, but appears to be precipitated as a calcium compound. The groundwater variables had little effect on americium sorption. A slightly soluble americium compound appears to form which is more soluble at low pH.

• Research Organization: Rockwell International Corp., Richland, WA (USA). Energy Systems Group
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-77RL01030
• OSTI ID: 6494409
• Report Number(s): RHO-BW-ST-35P; ON: DE83008062
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACTINIDES
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
AMERICIUM
BASALT
CESIUM
DATA
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GROUND WATER
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IGNEOUS ROCKS
INFORMATION
ISOTHERM
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
MATERIALS
METALS
NEPTUNIUM
NUMERICAL DATA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PRECIPITATION
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
RADIUM
ROCK-FLUID INTERACTIONS
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SORPTION
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
STRONTIUM
SURFACE PROPERTIES
TECHNETIUM
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
TRANSPLUTONIUM ELEMENTS
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
TUFF
URANIUM
VOLCANIC ROCKS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
WATER