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Timothy E. Payne, J.R. Harries

Adsorption of Cs and U(VI) on soils of the Australian arid zone

Distribution coefficients (K_d values) for Cs and U(VI) on soils from an arid region of Australia were measured under a range of conditions. The K_d values for trace ¹³⁷Cs in 0.02 M NaCl were typically around 10⁴ mL/g, and were not affected by the pH. However, the K_d decreased with increasing ionic strength, and was strongly dependent on the total Cs concentration. Much lower K_d values (around 10² mL/g) were measured in systems containing total Cs of 1 mmol/L in a background electrolyte of 0.10 M NaCl. The main factor determining the sorption behaviour of U(VI) in systems equilibrated with air was the pH, with the K_d decreasing from above 10³ mL/g at pH 7 to around 10 mL/g at pH 9.

Radiochimica Acta, Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag

Print ISSN: 0033-8230
Volume: 88, 09/2000
Pages: 799

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