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Experimental Study of Uranium(6+) Sorption on the Zeolite Mineral Clinoptilolite

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 1992

Roberto T. Pabalan ,
J. D. Prikryl ,
P. M. Muller  and
T. B. Dietrich
Roberto T. Pabalan
Affiliation:
Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses, Southwest Research Institute, 6220 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX 78238-5166
J. D. Prikryl
Affiliation:
Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses, Southwest Research Institute, 6220 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX 78238-5166
P. M. Muller
Affiliation:
Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses, Southwest Research Institute, 6220 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX 78238-5166
T. B. Dietrich
Affiliation:
Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses, Southwest Research Institute, 6220 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX 78238-5166
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Abstract

Experiments on the sorption of uranium(6+) on clinoptilolite from solutions in equilibrium with atmospheric CO2(g) were conducted to understand the fundamental controls on uranium sorption on zeolite minerals, including the effects of pH, aqueous uranium speciation, and uranium concentration in solution. The results indicate that uranium(6+) species are strongly sorbed on the zeolite mineral clinoptilolite at near-neutral pH. The amount of uranium sorbed is strongly dependent on pH and, to some extent, on the total concentration of uranium. Uranium sorption on clinoptilolite is important in the pH range where UO2(OH)2°(aq) is the predominant uranium aqueous species, whereas sorption is inhibited at pH's where carbonateand hydroxy-carbonate-complexes are the primary uranyl species. Surface adsorption appearsto be the main sorption mechanism, although at pH<4 the results suggest ion exchange may occur between the UO2+2 ions in solution and the cations in the intracrystalline cation exchange sites of clinoptilolite.

The effectiveness of zeolite-rich horizons underneath Yucca Mountain, Nevada, as barriers to actinide transport through sorption processes will depend strongly on groundwater chemistry. Reliable predictions of radionuclide transport through these horizons will need to properly account for changes in solution chemistry.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 294: Symposium V – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XVI , 1992 , 777
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1993

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