Retardation of [sup 238]U and [sup 232]Th decay chain radionuclides in Long Island and Connecticut aquifers
- Yale Univ., New Haven, CT (United States)
- State Univ. of New York, Stony Brook (United States)
Knowledge of the ability of an aquifer to retard the groundwater transport of toxic or radioactive ions can be inferred from the analysis of groundwater for the radionuclides of the [sup 238]U- and [sup 232]Th-decay chains. Groundwaters of varying chemical composition were analyzed from wells in Long Island, New York, and Connecticut. Aquifer lithologies are arkose, quartz sandstone, granite, and glacial drift. Adsorption (k[sub 1]) and desorption (k[sub 2]) coefficients for Ra and Pb were calculated using [sup 222]Rn activity as a measure of the supply of other [alpha]-recoil nuclides. Laboratory tests of the validity of this assumption were made by measuring the flux of [sup 224]Ra and [sup 222]Rn from aquifer solids. The ratio k[sub 1]/k[sub 2] is the distribution coefficient, K, which is effective equal to R[sub f], the retardation factor. The average value of K for Ra is 6 [times] 10[sup 2] in Long Island aquifers and 5 [times] 10[sup 4] in Connecticut. The distribution coefficient for Pb is 10[sup 4] in Long Island and 10[sup 5] in Connecticut. Results from this and other studies reveal a strong dependence of retardation on pH, f[sub o[sub 2]], and ionic strength that tends to overwhelm any dependence of retardation on lithology. 21 refs., 2 figs., 7 tabs.
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG02-87ER60576
- OSTI ID:
- 6659713
- Journal Information:
- Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; (United States), Vol. 57:3; ISSN 0016-7037
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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GROUND WATER
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
THORIUM 232
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
URANIUM 238
ADSORPTION
AQUIFERS
CHAINS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CONNECTICUT
DECAY
DESORPTION
DISTRIBUTION
IONS
LITHOLOGY
NEW YORK
QUARTZ
SOLIDS
TRANSPORT
WELLS
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CHARGED PARTICLES
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
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HEAVY NUCLEI
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
ISOTOPES
MASS TRANSFER
MINERALS
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEI
OXIDE MINERALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLOGY
RADIOISOTOPES
SORPTION
SPONTANEOUS FISSION RADIOISOTOPES
THORIUM ISOTOPES
URANIUM ISOTOPES
USA
WATER
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
540330* - Environment
Aquatic- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)