Abstract
Models which can estimate environmental transport of radioactive contaminants in natural and engineered systems are required to 1) deploy effective remediation strategies for contaminated sites, 2) design waste repositories for future waste streams, and 3) ensure protection of human and environmental health in all cases. These models require accurate transport parameters in order to correctly predict how these contaminants will move in the subsurface. This work aimed to determine more accurately the distribution coefficients for radium and strontium sorption to Savannah River Site (SRS) soils. Radium and strontium sorption to the soils was found to be highly dependent upon ionic strength due to competition for ion exchange sites. Radium distribution coefficients (Kd) for the clayey soil were determined to be 185.1 ± 25.63 L kg-1 and 30.35 ± 0.66 L kg-1 for ionic strengths of 0.02M and 0.1M as NaCl which is the approximate ionic strength of groundwater at the SRS. Radium distribution coefficients for the sandy soil were determined to be 24.95 ± 2.97 L kg-1 and 9.05 ± 0.36 L kg-1 for ionic strengths of 0.02M and 0.1M as NaCl. Sorption of Ra2+ was generally greater than Sr2+, consistent with the frequent use of higher distribution coefficients for Ra in performance assessments.
Recommended Citation
Powell, Brian A.; Miller, Todd; and Kaplan, Daniel I.
(2015)
"On the Influence of Ionic Strength on Radium and Strontium Sorption to Sandy Loam Soils,"
Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science: Vol. 13:
Iss.
1, Article 4.
Available at:
https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/jscas/vol13/iss1/4
Included in
Chemistry Commons, Environmental Engineering Commons, Environmental Health and Protection Commons, Geochemistry Commons, Geology Commons, Physics Commons, Soil Science Commons