Prediction of uranium and technetium sorption during titration of contaminated acidic groundwater

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2010 · Journal of Hazardous Materials

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.01.040· OSTI ID:985275

Zhang, Fan ^[1]; Parker, Jack C. ^[2]; Watson, David B ^[1]; Jardine, Philip M ^[1]; Gu, Baohua ^[1]

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1. ORNL
2. University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK)

This study investigates uranium and technetium sorption onto aluminum and iron hydroxides during titration of acidic groundwater. The contaminated groundwater exhibits oxic conditions with high concentrations of NO{sub 3}{sup -}, SO{sub 4}{sup 2-}, U, Tc, and various metal cations. More than 90% of U and Tc was removed from the aqueous phase as Al and Fe precipitated above pH 5.5, but was partially resolublized at higher pH values. An equilibrium hydrolysis and precipitation reaction model adequately described variations in aqueous concentrations of metal cations. An anion exchange reaction model was incorporated to simulate sulfate, U and Tc sorption onto variably charged (pH-dependent) Al and Fe hydroxides. Modeling results indicate that competitive sorption/desorption on mixed mineral phases needs to be considered to adequately predict U and Tc mobility. The model could be useful for future studies of the speciation of U, Tc and co-existing ions during pre- and post-groundwater treatment practices.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
• Sponsoring Organization: SC USDOE - Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 985275
• Journal Information: Journal of Hazardous Materials, Journal Name: Journal of Hazardous Materials Journal Issue: 1-3 Vol. 178; ISSN 0304-3894
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ALUMINIUM
ANIONS
CATIONS
FORECASTING
HYDROLYSIS
HYDROXIDES
IRON HYDROXIDES
PH VALUE
PRECIPITATION
SIMULATION
SORPTION
TECHNETIUM
TITRATION
URANIUM