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Title: Enhanced Plutonium Mobility During Long-Term Transport Through an Unsaturated Subsurface Environment

Abstract

Plutonium moved more rapidly through vadose zone sediments than previous thought possible. Based on field studies conducted for up to 11 years and supplemental laboratory studies, it was hypothesized that periodic sediment drying caused the very slow release of tightly bound Pu into the mobile aqueous phase, presumably by oxidation of Pu(IV) to the more mobile Pu(V). Of particular interest, was that this release occurred in sediments, that when saturated with groundwater, promoted rapid reduction of Pu to the less mobile form, Pu(IV). Accurate prediction of Pu transport through the vadose zone is important because this region is expected to provide an important buffer between disposed nuclear waste and the biosphere.

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
US Department of Energy (US)
OSTI Identifier:
821101
Report Number(s):
WSRC-MS-2003-00889
Journal ID: ISSN 0193-4511; SCEHDK; TRN: US0400605
DOE Contract Number:  
AC09-96SR18500
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Science
Additional Journal Information:
Other Information: PBD: 23 Jan 2004; Journal ID: ISSN 0193-4511
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES, AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES; BIOSPHERE; BUFFERS; DRYING; FORECASTING; OXIDATION; PLUTONIUM; RADIOACTIVE WASTES; SEDIMENTS; TRANSPORT

Citation Formats

Kaplan, D I. Enhanced Plutonium Mobility During Long-Term Transport Through an Unsaturated Subsurface Environment. United States: N. p., 2004. Web.
Kaplan, D I. Enhanced Plutonium Mobility During Long-Term Transport Through an Unsaturated Subsurface Environment. United States.
Kaplan, D I. 2004. "Enhanced Plutonium Mobility During Long-Term Transport Through an Unsaturated Subsurface Environment". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/821101.
@article{osti_821101,
title = {Enhanced Plutonium Mobility During Long-Term Transport Through an Unsaturated Subsurface Environment},
author = {Kaplan, D I},
abstractNote = {Plutonium moved more rapidly through vadose zone sediments than previous thought possible. Based on field studies conducted for up to 11 years and supplemental laboratory studies, it was hypothesized that periodic sediment drying caused the very slow release of tightly bound Pu into the mobile aqueous phase, presumably by oxidation of Pu(IV) to the more mobile Pu(V). Of particular interest, was that this release occurred in sediments, that when saturated with groundwater, promoted rapid reduction of Pu to the less mobile form, Pu(IV). Accurate prediction of Pu transport through the vadose zone is important because this region is expected to provide an important buffer between disposed nuclear waste and the biosphere.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/821101}, journal = {Science},
issn = {0193-4511},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Jan 23 00:00:00 EST 2004},
month = {Fri Jan 23 00:00:00 EST 2004}
}