Radionuclide sorption and desorption mechanisms in interbed/groundwater systems of the Columbia River basalt formation
The sorption and desorption mechanisms of key radionuclides (Tc, Np, Pu, Am, Cs, Sr, and Ra) in groundwater-interbed systems of the Columbia River basalt formation were investigated. Sandstone and tuff interbed materials from selected sedimentary interbeds were used in these experiments. The effects of groundwater composition and Eh on radionuclide sorption and desorption on the selected geologic solid were studied. Sodium, potassium, and calcium in the groundwater decrease sorption of Cs, Sr, and Ra by ion exchange reactions. Groundwater Eh strongly affects sorption of Tc, Np, Pu, and U since chemical species of these elements containing the lower oxidation states are more extensively sorbed by chemisorption. Effects of radionuclide complexation by groundwater anions on sorption were not observed except for neptunium carbonate (or bicarbonate) complexes and plutonium sulfate complexes. Sorption and desorption isotherms were obtained for sorption of key radionuclides under oxidizing and reducing conditions. The Freundlich equation accurately describes most of these isotherms. Most radionuclides are apparently irreversibly sorbed on each of the geologic solids since the slopes of sorption and desorption isotherms for a given radionuclide are different. This hysteresis effect is very large and will cause a significant delay in radionuclide transport. It, therefore, should be included in modeling radionuclide transport to accurately assess the isolation capabilities of a repository in basalt.
- Research Organization:
- Rockwell International Corp., Richland, WA (USA). Rockwell Hanford Operations
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-77RL01030
- OSTI ID:
- 6670758
- Report Number(s):
- RHO-BW-SA-276P; CONF-821053-1; ON: DE83002108; TRN: 82-026834
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Workshop on standardization of methods for measuring migration of radionuclides in geomedia, Berlin, F.R. Germany, 25 Oct 1982; Other Information: Portions of document are illegible
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BASALT
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
GROUND WATER
ADSORPTION
COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOISOTOPES
REDOX POTENTIAL
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
WATER CHEMISTRY
CHEMISTRY
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IGNEOUS ROCKS
ISOTOPES
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
ROCKS
SORPTION
VOLCANIC ROCKS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WATER
052002* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage
510301 - Environment
Terrestrial- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- Soil- (-1987)