Investigation of solubilization of plutonium and americium in soil by natural humic compounds

Journal Article · Sun Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1976 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es60119a001· OSTI ID:7212989

Cleveland, J M; Rees, T F

An investigation was conducted under simulated natural conditions to determine the solubilization of plutonium and americium in contaminated soil by humic compounds. The results indicate that the solubilization of plutonium and americium by fulvic acid--the more soluble humic compound--is slight. In no instance did the plutonium and americium concentrations in solution approach the drinking water limits. What little solubilization that occurs is probably due to complex formation and/or colloid peptization. The resulting solutions are unstable, and over a period of a few days, most of the plutonium and americium precipitate, either as a result of colloid coagulation or hydrolysis. Two other factors appear to limit the solubilization of these elements: only a relatively small fraction of the plutonium and americium seems to be readily soluble, and there is apparently a low saturation value for these elements in both water and fulvic acid solution.

• Research Organization: Dow Chemical, Golden, CO
• OSTI ID: 7212989
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 10:8; ISSN ESTHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510301* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- Soil-- (-1987)
520301 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- Water-- (1987)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACTINIDES
AMERICIUM
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
CHEMISTRY
COLLOIDS
COMPLEXES
DISPERSIONS
DISSOLUTION
DRINKING WATER
ELEMENTS
FLOCCULATION
FULVIC ACIDS
HUMIC ACIDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
METALS
MIXTURES
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
PLUTONIUM
PRECIPITATION
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOIL CHEMISTRY
SOILS
SOLUBILITY
SOLUTIONS
TRANSPLUTONIUM ELEMENTS
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
WATER