Sorption of Eu(III)/Cm(III) on Ca-montmorillonite and Na-illite. Part 1: Batch sorption and time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy experiments

Sorption of Cm(III) and Eu(III) at trace concentrations onto Ca-montmorillonite (SWy-1) and Na-illite (Illite du Puy) has been studied under anaerobic conditions by batch sorption experiments and time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). Comparison of the results from spectroscopic and batch sorption experiments with Cm and Eu indicates the existence of outer-sphere complexes at pH <4 in the experiments with Na-illite (0.25 g/L solid; 2.5 × 10⁻⁷ mol/L Cm; 0.1 mol/L NaClO₄). In the case of Ca-montmorillonite, (0.25 g/L solid, 2.5 × 10⁻⁷ mol/L Cm or 10⁻⁶ mol/L Eu, 0.066 mol/L Ca(ClO₄)₂), Cm/Eu outer-sphere complexes do not form at significant levels due to the Ca²⁺ competition for the clay mineral cation-exchange sites. TRLFS spectra indicate the formation of inner-sphere surface complexes at pH >5 for both clay minerals. Five H₂O/OH⁻ molecules remain in the first metal ion coordination sphere of the sorbed Eu/Cm. Measured fluorescence lifetimes of sorbed Eu/Cm and peak deconvolution of Cm-spectra are consistent with the formation of surface complexes of the form ≡S-O-Eu/Cm(OH)_x^(2−x)(H₂O)_5−x. At pH ≥ 12 Cm becomes incorporated into a surface precipitate at the Ca-montmorillonite surface presumably composed of Ca(OH)₂ or calcium silicate hydrate. A dramatic shift of the fluorescence emission band by more than 20 nm and a clear increase in the fluorescence lifetime suggests the almost complete displacement of coordinated H₂O and OH⁻. The pH dependent Eu sorption data obtained in batch experiments are consistent with spectroscopic data on Eu and Cm within experimental uncertainties thus demonstrating the validity of Eu as a homologue for trivalent actinides. Parameterization of a two-site protolysis nonelectrostatic surface complexation and cation exchange model using the batch sorption data and spectroscopic results is discussed in Part 2 of this work.     

Sorption of Eu on Na- and Ca-montmorillonites: experimental investigations and modelling with cation exchange and surface complexation

The 2-site protolysis no electrostatics surface complexation and cation exchange (2SPNE/CE) model used in previous work to model the sorption of Ni and Zn on Na- and Ca-montmorillonites was applied to sorption edges and isotherms measured for Eu on these two montmorillonite forms. The aim was to further test the applicability of the sorption model on a trivalent element with a more complex aqueous chemistry. An additional reason for choosing Eu was that it is considered to be a good chemical analogue for other lanthanides and trivalent actinides. With site types, site capacities, and protolysis constants fixed at the values in the Ni/Zn studies, all of the measured sorption edge data could be modelled using cation exchange and the monodentate surface species, ≡S^SOEu²⁺, ≡S^SOEuOH⁺ and ≡S^SOEu(OH)₃⁻, on the strong site type. However, an additional modelling study showed that the same data were almost equally well described by considering bidentate surface complexes, (≡S^SO)₂Eu⁺ and (≡S^SO)₂Eu(OH)₂⁻, and cation exchange. To model the sorption isotherm measurements up to pH = 7.2, only one additional weak site surface complex was required, ≡S^W1OEu²⁺ for the monodentate case and (≡S^W1O)₂Eu⁺ for the bidentate case. Selectivity coefficients are given for Eu³⁺- Ca²⁺ and Eu³⁺- Na⁺ exchange on the planar sites and surface complexation constants for monodentate and bidentate Eu surface species on the edge sites of montmorillonite.     

Sorption modelling on illite Part I: Titration measurements and the sorption of Ni, Co, Eu and Sn

In this study the physico-chemical, titration and sorption characteristics of Na-illite du Puy (Na-illite) have been measured and modelled. Samples of illite, collected in the region of le Puy-en-Velay, France, were purified and conditioned to the Na-form and physico-chemically characterised. Potentiometric titrations on suspensions of the Na-illite were carried out using a batch backtitration technique in 0.01, 0.1 and 0.5 M NaClO₄ background electrolytes from pH∼3 to ∼11.5 in an inert atmosphere glove box. The supernatant solutions from each titration experiment in each series were analysed for K, Mg, Ca, Sr, Si, Al, Fe and Mn. The titration data were modelled in terms of the protolysis of two amphoteric edge sites (S^W1OH and S^W2OH) without an electrostatic term. Sorption edges (solid/liquid distribution ratios versus pH at trace sorbate concentrations and constant ionic strength) were determined for the transitions metals Ni(II) and Co(II), the lanthanide Eu(III), and the heavy metal Sn(IV) on Na-illite with NaClO₄ as the background electrolyte under anoxic conditions (CO₂ ? 2 ppm, O₂ ? 2 ppm). The study thus encompasses a broad range of metals with different thermodynamic characteristics and with valence states ranging from II to IV. The results from the modelling of the titration data, in combination with a non electrostatic surface complexation and cation exchange sorption model were applied to quantitatively describe the uptake characteristics of the metals listed above on Na-illite. Since sorption edges were measured at trace concentrations, metal uptake was modelled as occurring on strong type sites (S^SOH) only. This sorption model, the two site protolysis non electrostatic surface complexation and cation exchange model (2SPNE SC/CE model) had been previously developed and used to describe metal uptake on montmorillonite.     

Sorption modelling on illite. Part II: Actinide sorption and linear free energy relationships

Sorption edge data for Ni(II), Co(II), Eu(III) and Sn(IV) [Bradbury M. H. and Baeyens B. (2009) Sorption modelling on illite. Part I: titration measurements and sorption of Ni(II), Co(II), Eu(III) and Sn(IV), Part I] on purified Na-Illite du Puy are available from some previous work, and some new measurements for Am(III), Th(IV), Pa(V) and U(VI) are presented here. All of these sorption edge measurements have been modelled with a 2 site protolysis non-electrostatic surface complexation and cation exchange (2SPNE SC/CE) sorption model for which the site types, site capacities and protolysis constants were fixed [Bradbury M. H. and Baeyens B. (2009), Part I]. In addition, two further data sets for the sorption of Am(III) and Np(V) on Illite du Puy, obtained from the literature, were also modelled in this work. Thus, surface complexation constants for the strong sites in the 2SPNE SC/CE sorption model for nine metals with valence states from II to VI have been obtained. A linear relationship between the logarithm of strong site metal binding constants, ^SK_x−1, and the logarithm of the corresponding aqueous hydrolysis stability constant, ^OHK_x, extending over nearly 35 orders of magnitude is established here for illite for these nine metals. Such correlations are often termed linear free energy relationships (LFER), and although they are quite common in aqueous phase chemistry, they are much less so in surface chemistry, especially over this large range. The LFER for illite could be described by the equation: where, “x” is an integer. A similar relationship has been previously obtained for montmorillonite, thus LFERs relating to the sorption on two of the most important clay minerals present in natural systems have been established. Such an LFER approach is an extremely useful tool for estimating surface complexation constants for metals in a chemically consistent manner. It provides a means of obtaining sorption values for radionuclides for which there are no measured values and thus allows gaps in missing sorption data to be filled. An ultimate goal of this approach is to develop a thermodynamic sorption database. This could then be used in radioactive waste management performance assessment studies to calculate sorption in natural systems, and thereby replace the current usage of single solid liquid distribution coefficients (K_d values) to describe radionuclide uptake. Finally, with the data now available, the 2SPNE SC/CE sorption model can be ported into reactive transport models allowing radionuclide migration to be calculated under spatially and temporally changing conditions.     

Modelling the sorption of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Eu(III), Am(III), Sn(IV), Th(IV), Np(V) and U(VI) on montmorillonite: Linear free energy relationships and estimates of surface binding constants for some selected heavy metals and actinides

In solution thermodynamics, and more recently in surface chemistry, it is well established that relationships can be found between the free energies of formation of aqueous or surface metal complexes and thermodynamic properties of the metal ions or ligands. Such systematic dependencies are commonly termed linear free energy relationships (LFER). A 2 site protolysis non-electrostatic surface complexation and cation exchange (2SPNE SC/CE) model has been used to model “in house” and literature sorption edge data for eleven elements: Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Eu(III), Am(III), Sn(IV), Th(IV), Np(V) and U(VI) to provide surface complexation constants for the strong sites on montmorillonite. Modelling a further 4 sets of sorption isotherms for Ni(II), Zn(II), Eu(III) and U(VI) provided complexation constants for the weak sites. The protolysis constants and site capacities derived for the 2SPNE SC/CE model in previous work were fixed in all of the calculations. Cation exchange was modelled simultaneously to provide selectivity coefficients. Good correlations between the logarithms of strong ^SK_x−1 and weak ^W1K_x−1 site binding constants on montmorillonite and the logarithm of the aqueous hydrolysis constants ^OHK_x were found which could be described by the following equations: Strong (≡S^SOH) sites:

SlogKX−1=8.1±0.3+(0.90±0.02)log^OHKX     

Investigation of the different binding edge sites for Zn on montmorillonite using P-EXAFS - The strong/weak site concept in the 2SPNE SC/CE sorption model

The 2 site protolysis non electrostatic surface complexation and cation exchange (2SPNE SC/CE) sorption model has been used over the past decade or so to quantitatively describe the uptake of metals with oxidation states from II to VI on 2:1 clay minerals; montmorillonite and illite. One of the main features in this model is that there are two broad categories of amphoteric edge sorption sites; the so called strong (S^SOH) and weak (S^W1OH) sites. Because of their different sorption characteristics, it was expected that the coordination environments of the surface complexes on the two site types would be different. Zn isotherm data on two montmorillonites, Milos and STx-1, were measured and modelled using the 2SPNE SC/CE sorption model. The results were used to define the most favourable experimental conditions under which Zn sorption was either dominated by the strong (S^SOH, ∼2 mmol kg⁻¹) or by the weak sites (S^W1OH, ∼40 mmol kg⁻¹). Highly oriented self-supporting films were prepared for polarised extended X-ray absorption fine structure (P-EXAFS) investigations.Montmorillonites often contain Zn incorporated in the clay matrix. The Zn bound in this form was quantified and the results from the analysis of the P-EXAFS spectra were taken into account in the interpretation of the spectra measured at low Zn loadings (∼2 mmol kg⁻¹) and medium Zn loadings (∼30 mmol kg⁻¹). The Zn spectra on the “strong sites” exhibited a pronounced angular dependency and formed surface complexes in the continuity of the Al-octahedral sheets at the montmorillonite edges. In contrast, the Zn “weak site” spectra showed only a weak angular dependency. The spectroscopic evidence indicates the existence of two distinct groups of edge surface binding sites which is consistent with a multi-site sorption model and in particular with the strong/weak site concept intrinsic to the 2SPNE S/CE sorption model.     

Predicting the uptake of Cs,Co, Ni,Eu, Th and U on argillaceous rocks using sorption models for illite

Reliable predictions of radiocontaminant migration are a requirement for the establishment of radioactive waste repositories. Parametrization of the necessary sorption models seems to be, however, extremely challenging given the multi-mineralic composition of the lithosphere. In this study it is shown for two argillaceous rocks – Boda and Opalinus Clay relevant for the Hungarian and Swiss repository concepts, respectively – that this task can be substantially simplified by taking into account only the most sorptive mineral fraction, namely the 2:1 clay minerals illite and illite/smectite mixed layers. Two different models were required to blind predict the sorption isotherms of Cs, Co, Ni, Eu, Th and UO₂ measured on the two clay rock samples in a synthetic porewater. Cs sorption was modelled with the generalised Cs (GCs) sorption model and the sorption of the other cations with the 2 site protolysis non electrostatic surface complexation and cation exchange (2SPNE SC/CE) model. The 2SPNE SC/CE model for illite was extended with surface complexation reactions on weak sites for Co, Ni, Eu, UO₂ and on strong sites for Eu-carbonato complexes. Complementary to the sorption measurements and modelling, extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy was used to probe the retention mechanism of Ni on illite, Boda and Opalinus Clay at higher loadings. The reliable blind predictions of the selected metal cations, which are representative for monovalent alkaline metals, divalent transition metals, lanthanides, and trivalent, tetravalent and hexavalent actinides, confirms the applicability of this simplified bottom up approach, and, renders the underlying sorption models particularly useful to predict sorption for the wide range of cations to be considered in the safety analysis of radioactive waste repositories in clay-rich environments.     

Europium retention onto clay minerals from 25 to 150 °C: Experimental measurements, spectroscopic features and sorption modelling

The sorption of Eu(III) onto kaolinite and montmorillonite was investigated up to 150 °C. The clays were purified samples, saturated with Na in the case of montmorillonite. Batch experiments were conducted at 25, 40, 80 and 150 °C in 0.5 M NaClO₄ solutions to measure the distribution coefficients (Kd) of Eu as a trace element (<10⁻⁶ mol/L) between the solution and kaolinite. For the Na-montmorillonite, we used Kd results from a previous study [Tertre, E., Berger, G., Castet, S., Loubet, M., Giffaut, E., 2005. Experimental study of adsorption of Ni²⁺, Cs⁺ and Ln³⁺ onto Na-montmorillonite up to 150 °C. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta69, 4937-4948] obtained under exactly the same conditions. The number and nature of the Eu species sorbed onto both clay minerals were investigated by time resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) in specific experiments in the same temperature range. We identified a unique inner-sphere complex linked to the aluminol sites in both clays, assumed to be AlOEu²⁺ at the edge of the particles, and a second exchangeable outer-sphere complex for montmorillonite, probably in an interlayer position. The Kd values were used to adjust the parameters of a surface complexation model (DLM: diffuse layer model) from 25 to 150 °C. The number of Eu complexes and the stoichiometry of reactions were constrained by TRLFS. The acidity constants of the amphoteric aluminol sites were taken from another study [Tertre, E., Castet, S., Berger, G., Loubet, M., Giffaut, E. Acid/base surface chemistry of kaolinite and Na-montmorillonite at 25 and 60 °C: experimental study and modelling. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, in press], which integrates the influence of the negative structural charge of clays on the acid/base properties of edge sites as a function of temperature and ionic strength. The results of the modelling show that the observed shift of the sorption edge towards low pH with increasing temperature results solely from the contribution of the AlOEu²⁺ edge complexes. Finally, we successfully tested the performance of our model by confronting the predictions with experimental Kd data. We used our own data obtained at lower ionic strength (previous study) or higher suspension density and higher starting concentration (TRLFS runs, this study), as well as published data from other experimental studies [Bradbury, M.H., Baeyens, B., 2002. Sorption of Eu on Na and Ca-montmorillonite: experimental investigations and modeling with cation exchange and surface complexation. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta66, 2325-2334; Kowal-Fouchard, A., 2002. Etude des mécanismes de rétention des ions U(IV) et Eu(III) sur les argiles: influence des silicates. Ph.D. Thesis, Université Paris Sud, France, 330p].     

Complex formation of Cm(III) with formate studied by time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy

Pore waters of natural clays, which are investigated as potential host rock formations for high-level nuclear waste, are known to contain large amounts of low-molecular weight organic compounds. These small organic ligands might impact the aqueous geochemistry of the stored radionuclides and, thus, their migration behavior. In the present work, the complexation of Cm(III) with formate in aqueous NaCl solution is investigated by time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) as a function of the ionic strength (0.5–3.0 mol/kg), the ligand concentration (0–0.2 mol/kg) and the temperature (20–90 °C). The Cm(III) speciation is determined by deconvolution of the emission spectra. The obtained distribution of Cm(III) species is used to calculate the conditional stability constants (log K′(T)) at a given temperature and ionic strength which are extrapolated to zero ionic strength by using the specific ion interaction theory (SIT). Thus, the thermodynamic log K⁰_n(T) values for the formation of [Cm(Form)_n]⁽³⁻ⁿ⁾⁺ (n = 1, 2) and the ion interaction coefficients (ε(i,k)) for [Cm(Form)_n]⁽³⁻ⁿ⁾⁺ (n = 1, 2) with Cl⁻ are obtained. The log K⁰₁(T) (2.11 (20 °C)–2.49 (90 °C)) and log K⁰₂(T) values (1.17 (30 °C–2.01 (90 °C)) increase continuously with increasing temperature. The log K⁰_n(T) values are used to derive the standard reaction enthalpies and entropies (Δ_rH⁰_m, Δ_rS⁰_m) of the respective complexation reactions according to the Van’t Hoff equation. In all cases, positive Δ_rH⁰_m and Δ_rS⁰_m values are obtained. Thus, both complexation steps are endothermic and entropy-driven.     

Sorption of uranium(VI) at the clay mineral–water interface

Batch experiments were conducted to study the sorption of uranium on selected clay minerals (KGa-1b and KGa-2 reference kaolinite, SWy-2 and STx-1b reference montmorillonite, and IBECO natural bentonite) as a function of pH (4–9) and 0.001, 0.01, and 0.025 M NaCl in equilibrium with the CO₂ partial pressure of the atmosphere. Uranium concentrations were kept below 100 μg L⁻¹ to avoid precipitation of amorphous Uranium-hydroxides. Solely PTFE containers and materials were used, because experiments showed significant sorption at higher pH on glass ware. All batch experiments were performed over a period of 24 h, since kinetic experiments proved that the common 10 or 15 min are in many cases by far not sufficient to reach equilibrium. Kaolinite showed much greater uranium sorption than the other clay minerals due to the more aluminol sites available. Sorption on the poorly crystallized KGa-2 was higher than on the well-crystallized KGa-1b. Uranium sorption on STx-1b and IBECO exhibited parabolic behavior with a sorption maximum around pH 6.5. Sorption of uranium on montmorillonites showed a distinct dependency on sodium concentrations because of the effective competition between uranyl and sodium ions, whereas less significant differences in sorption were found for kaolinite. The presence of anatase as impurity in kaolinite enhanced the binding of uranyl-carbonate complexes with surface sites. The kinetic of uranium sorption behavior was primarily dependent on the clay minerals and pH. A multisite surface complexation model without assuming exchange is based on the binding of the most dominant uranium species to aluminol and silanol edge sites of montmorillonite, respectively to aluminol and titanol surface sites of kaolinite. For eight surface species, the log_k was determined from the experimental data using the parameter estimation code PEST together with PHREEQC.     

Experimental study and modeling of the sorption of uranium(VI) onto olivine-rock

The sorption of U(VI) onto the surface of olivine has been experimentally investigated at 25 °C under an air atmosphere as a function of pH, solid surface to volume ratio and total U concentration. Sorption has been observed to decrease as the extent of carbonate complexation of U(VI) in solution increases, which is attributed to the competition between aqueous and solid ligands for the coordination of U. The experimental results have been interpreted by means of two different approaches: (1)a semi-empirical model, exemplified by the application of a Langmuir isotherm and (2) a non-electrostatic thermodynamic surface complexation model which includes the formation of the surface species: >SO–UO₂⁺ and >SO–UO₂(OH). The following stability constants for these species have been determined from the thermodynamic analysis: K(>SO–UO₂⁺)=289±71 and K(>SO–UO₂(OH))=(3.4±0.4)×10⁻⁶. The comparison of the sorption of U onto olivine with granites of different origin indicate that the use of this mineral as additive to the backfill of deep high level nuclear waste repositories could retard the migration of U from the repository to the geosphere.     

Europium sorption to sediments in the presence of natural organic matter: A laboratory and modeling study

Cellulosic materials, such as wood, paper products and cardboard that have been co-disposed with low-level nuclear waste have been shown to produce leachate with natural organic matter (NOM) concentrations of hundreds of mg/L C and, as such, have the potential to influence the fate and transport of radionuclides in the subsurface environment. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of NOM on the sorption of Eu (an analogue for trivalent radionuclides) to two coastal plain sediments from the US Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site. Particular attention was directed at quantifying Eu interactions with NOM sorbed to sediments (NOM_sed) in laboratory experiments and developing conditional stability constants for that interaction using the thermodynamic equilibrium speciation model MINTEQA2. Europium sorption to the two sediments systematically increased as pH increased from 3.9 to 6.7. With increasing additions of NOM to the aqueous phase from 0 to 222 mg/L C, Eu sorption initially increased to a maximum at 10 mg/L C NOM_aq and then decreased with increasing NOM_aq concentrations. Increases in Eu sorption at low NOM additions was attributed to the sorption of NOM to the sediment surface increasing the number of sorption sites on the low cation-exchange capacity sediments and/or increasing the association constant (log K) for the Eu-sediment surface reaction. Decreases in Eu sorption at higher NOM levels was attributed to Eu_aq complexation to NOM_aq being more favored than Eu sorption to the solid phase. A component additivity model was developed to describe the Eu–NOM-sediment system by the additive effects of the three binary system models: Eu–NOM, Eu-sediment and NOM-sediment. The model generally captured the data trends in the ternary system. Conditional stability constants developed from the experimental data for the complexation of Eu to NOM_sed were as much as four orders of magnitude greater than Eu complexation with NOM_aq, presumably due to the NOM_sed deriving additional negative (attractive) charge from the sediment surface. At high initial NOM_aq levels, >99 mg/L C, the model captured the trend of reduced Eu sorption but tended to over-estimate Eu sorption. The additivity approach of combining binary models to form a ternary model was only successful when the unique complexation properties of the NOM_sed were properly calculated.     

Uranium(6+) sorption on montmorillonite: Experimental and surface complexation modeling study

Sorption interactions with montmorillonite and other clay minerals in soils, sediments, and rocks are potentially important mechanisms for attenuating the mobility of U(6+) and other radionuclides through the subsurface environment. Batch experiments were conducted (in equilibrium with atmospheric % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafeart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXafv3ySLgzGmvETj2BSbqefm0B1jxALjhiov2D% aebbfv3ySLgzGueE0jxyaibaiiYdd9qrFfea0dXdf9vqai-hEir8Ve% ea0de9qq-hbrpepeea0db9q8as0-LqLs-Jirpepeea0-as0Fb9pgea% 0lrP0xe9Fve9Fve9qapdbaqaaeGacaGaaiaabeqaamaabaabcaGcba% acbiGaiWiG-bfadaWgaaWcbaacbaGaa43qaiaa+9eadaWgaaqaaiaa% +jdaaWqabaaaleqaaaaa!400D!\[P_{CO_2 } \])to determine the effects of varying pH (2 to 9), solid-mass to solution-volume ratio (M/V = 0.028 to 3.2 g/L), and solution concentration (2 × 10^–7 and 2 × 10^–6 M ²³³U) on U(6+) sorption on SAz-1 montmorillonite. The study focused on U(6+) surface complexation on hydroxylated edge sites as the sorption mechanism of interest because it is expected to be the predominant sorption mechanism at pHs typical of natural waters (pH 6 to 9). Thus, the experiments were conducted with a 0.1 M NaNO₃ matrix to suppress ion-exchange between U(6+) in solution and interlayer cations. The results show that U(6+) sorption on montmorillonite is a strong function of pH, reaching a maximum at near-neutral pH (6 to 6.5) and decreasing sharply towards more acidic or more alkaline conditions. A comparison of the pH-dependence of U(6+) sorption with that of U(6+) aqueous speciation indicates a close correspondence between U(6+) sorption and the predominance field of U(6+)-hydroxy complexes. At high pH, sorption is inhibited due to formation of aqueous U(6+)-carbonate complexes. At low pH, the low sorption values indicate that the 0.1 M NaNO₃ matrix was effective in suppressing ion-exchange between the uranyl (UO₂ ²⁺) species and interlayer cations in montmorillonite. At pH and carbonate concentrations typical of natural waters, sorption of U(6+) on montmorillonite can vary by four orders of magnitude and can become negligible at high pH.The experimental results were used to develop a thermodynamic model based on a surface complexation approach to permit predictions of U(6+) sorption at differing physicochemical conditions. A Diffuse-Layer model (DLM) assuming aluminol (>AlOH) and silanol (>SiOH) edge sites and two U(6+) surface complexation reactions per site effectively simulates the complex sorption behavior observed in the U(6+)-H₂O-CO₂-montmorillonite system at an ionic strength of 0.1 M and pH > 3.5. A comparison of model predictions with data from this study and from published literature shows good agreement and suggests that surface complexation models based on parameters derived from a limited set of data could be useful in extrapolating radionuclide sorption over a range of geochemical conditions. Such an approach could be used to support transport modeling by providing a better alternative to the use of constant K _d s in transport calculations.     

Geochemical and thermodynamic aspects of sorption of strontium on kaolinite dominated clay samples at Kalpakkam

The mobility of strontium in subsurface is largely influenced by sorption on to clay minerals. In the present study, kaolinite clay samples collected from the Kalpakkam nuclear plant site were employed to understand the sorption characteristics of strontium by batch method. The effect of several parameters such as time, strontium ion concentration, pH, temperature and ionic strength was investigated. The kinetic studies suggested pseudo-second-order mechanism. The experimental sorption data was fitted to Langmuir adsorption model for obtaining the sorption capacity of the sorbent. The maximum sorption capacity was 5.77 mg/g at 298 K and was found to increase with an increase in temperature. It was observed that the distribution coefficient (K _d) of strontium on clay increased as the pH of the solution increased. The distribution coefficient was found to decrease with an increase in concentration of Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions. This variation of K _d suggests that cation exchange is the predominant sorption process. It was also observed that sorption process is endothermic. The thermodynamic parameters such as ∆G ⁰, ∆H ⁰ and ∆S ⁰ were calculated. The negative values obtained for ∆G ⁰ indicated that the sorption of strontium on clay was spontaneous at all studied concentrations. ∆G ⁰ becomes more negative with an increase in temperature, suggests that the sorption process is more favorable at higher temperatures.     

Experimental study of europium (III) coprecipitation with calcite

Partitioning of Eu(III) in calcite, CaCO₃, was evaluated with the aim of collecting data on partition coefficients and to enhance understanding of the incorporation mechanisms. This information will aid in the interpretation of geological processes from rare Earth element (REE) data and in the use of Eu(III) as a chemical analogue for the trivalent actinides, particularly Am(III) and Cm(III). Coprecipitation experiments were carried out by the constant addition method at 25°C and P_CO2 = 1 atm. Eu(III) was strongly partitioned from the solution into calcite. For dilute solid solutions (X_Eu < 0.001), Eu partition coefficients were estimated to be 770 ± 290 and found to be independent of calcite precipitation rate in the range of 0.02 to 2.7 nmol mg⁻¹ min⁻¹. This could be explained by the approximately equal values of the Eu partition and adsorption coefficients. Several solid solution models were tested. A vacancy model for Eu₂(CO₃)₃-CaCO₃ is consistent with the experimental results and constraints on geometry for Eu fit in the calcite lattice. For low Eu content, vacancy density is independent of Eu concentration in the solid so logarithm of the ion activity product, log (Eu)²(CO₃²⁻)³, depends linearly on log X_Eu². The fit of the data to such a model is good evidence that Eu(III) is taken up as a true solid solution, not simply by physical trapping. A model using EuOHCO₃-CaCO₃ is also consistent with the uptake stoichiometry, but EuOH²⁺ substitution for Ca²⁺ would be expected to distort the calcite structure more than is compatible with such a high K_D. Several other models, including EuNa(CO₃)₂-CaCO₃, were abandoned because their stoichiometric relationships did not fit the experimental data.     

Modelling Zn(II) sorption onto clayey sediments using a multi-site ion-exchange model

In environmental studies, it is necessary to be able to predict the behaviour of contaminants in more or less complex physico-chemical contexts. The improvement of this prediction partly depends on establishing thermodynamic models that can describe the behaviour of these contaminants and, in particular, the sorption reactions on mineral surfaces. In this way, based on the mass action law, it is possible to use surface complexation models and ion exchange models. Therefore, the aim of this study is (i) to develop an ion-exchange model able to describe the sorption of transition metal onto pure clay minerals and (ii) to test the ability of this approach to predict the sorption of these elements onto natural materials containing clay minerals (i.e. soils/sediments) under various chemical conditions. This study is focused on the behaviour of Zn(II) in the presence of clayey sediments. Considering that clay minerals are cation exchangers containing multiple sorption sites, it is possible to interpret the sorption of Zn(II), as well as competitor cations, by ion-exchange equilibria with the clay minerals. This approach is applied with success to interpret the experimental data obtained previously in the Zn(II)–H⁺–Na⁺–montmorillonite system. The authors’ research team has already studied the behaviour of Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ versus pH in terms of ion exchange onto pure montmorillonite, leading to the development of a thermodynamic database including the exchange site concentrations associated with montmorillonite and the selectivity coefficients of Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Zn²⁺ versus H⁺.     

Direct observation of Cm(III)-fulvate species on fulvic acid-montmorillonite hybrid by laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy

Particulate matter plays an important role in the removal of metal ions from water in natural aquifers. Some of the most important of these materials consist of associations of inorganic particles (clay minerals, oxides) with humic substances, associations that can form readily in such an environment due to the strong affinity between inorganic particles and humic substances. These associations are referred to in this paper as organic-inorganic hybrids. However, it is not clear whether the sorbed species of metal ions in such organic-inorganic hybrids are organic or inorganic species because of the complexity of such hybrids and the lack of appropriate methods for characterizing the trace metal ions incorporated in them. In this study, laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (LIF) was used successfully to characterize the Cm(III) species on an FA(fulvic acid)-montmorillonite hybrid, an example of such organic-inorganic hybrids. The LIF clearly showed that Cm(III) can be sorbed as Cm(III)-fulvate complex in the FA-montmorillonite hybrid. These results were consistent with those of experiments of solid-water partitioning of Cm(III) (or Eu(III) used as an analogue) and speciation calculations based on the stability constants of Cm(III)-fulvate complexes determined in this study. The results of LIF and the partitioning experiments showed that the solid-water distribution of humic substances governed that of Cm(III) under our experimental conditions. The Cm(III) preference for forming Cm(III)-fulvate complexes was also evident under a condition that would be found in a natural aquifer with a fairly low concentration of organic matter in freshwater (dissolved organic carbon: 2 mg/dm³), as determined by our speciation calculations. These findings on the importance of humic substances in the migration of Cm(III) indicate that the clarification of the environmental behavior of humic substances is necessary to understand fully the behavior of Cm(III), or actinide(III) and lanthanide(III) ions, in natural aquifers.     

Self-diffusion of water and its dependence on temperature and ionic strength in highly compacted montmorillonite, illite and kaolinite

The effect of temperature and ionic strength on the diffusion of HTO parallel to the direction of compaction through 5 highly compacted clay minerals (bulk dry density, ρ_b,d = 1.90 ± 0.05 Mg/m³), namely montmorillonite (Na- and Ca-form), illite (Na- and Ca-form), and kaolinite, was studied. The diffusion experiments were carried out at temperatures between 0 °C and 60 °C and at ionic strengths of 0.01 M and 1 M NaCl for the Na-form clays and kaolinite, and of 0.005 M and 0.5 M CaCl₂ for the Ca-form. The ionic strength had an insignificant influence on the values of the effective diffusion coefficient (variation by less than 10%) for the clays under study at this degree of compaction. The effective diffusion coefficients followed the order Na-montmorillonite < Ca-montmorillonite < Ca-illite < Na-illite  kaolinite. It is thought that the differences between Na- and Ca-montmorillonite originate from the larger size particles, and thus the lower tortuosity of the latter; whereas the differences between Na- and Ca-illite are related to the different degree of solvation of the Na and Ca cations. The activation energies were successfully calculated using the Arrhenius law. Swelling clays (Na- and Ca-montmorillonite) had slightly larger activation energy values (20 kJ/mol) compared to bulk water (17 kJ/mol); Ca-illite (16 kJ/mol), Na-illite (13 kJ/mol) and kaolinite (14.4 kJ/mol) lower values than that of bulk water. The low activation energies of the last three clays may be related to weaker H-bonds between water and the clay surfaces compared to those in bulk water.     

Approaches to surface complexation modeling of Uranium(VI) adsorption on aquifer sediments

Uranium(VI) adsorption onto aquifer sediments was studied in batch experiments as a function of pH and U(VI) and dissolved carbonate concentrations in artificial groundwater solutions. The sediments were collected from an alluvial aquifer at a location upgradient of contamination from a former uranium mill operation at Naturita, Colorado (USA). The ranges of aqueous chemical conditions used in the U(VI) adsorption experiments (pH 6.9 to 7.9; U(VI) concentration 2.5 · 10⁻⁸ to 1 · 10⁻⁵ M; partial pressure of carbon dioxide gas 0.05 to 6.8%) were based on the spatial variation in chemical conditions observed in 1999-2000 in the Naturita alluvial aquifer. The major minerals in the sediments were quartz, feldspars, and calcite, with minor amounts of magnetite and clay minerals. Quartz grains commonly exhibited coatings that were greater than 10 nm in thickness and composed of an illite-smectite clay with occluded ferrihydrite and goethite nanoparticles. Chemical extractions of quartz grains removed from the sediments were used to estimate the masses of iron and aluminum present in the coatings. Various surface complexation modeling approaches were compared in terms of the ability to describe the U(VI) experimental data and the data requirements for model application to the sediments. Published models for U(VI) adsorption on reference minerals were applied to predict U(VI) adsorption based on assumptions about the sediment surface composition and physical properties (e.g., surface area and electrical double layer). Predictions from these models were highly variable, with results overpredicting or underpredicting the experimental data, depending on the assumptions used to apply the model. Although the models for reference minerals are supported by detailed experimental studies (and in ideal cases, surface spectroscopy), the results suggest that errors are caused in applying the models directly to the sediments by uncertain knowledge of: 1) the proportion and types of surface functional groups available for adsorption in the surface coatings; 2) the electric field at the mineral-water interface; and 3) surface reactions of major ions in the aqueous phase, such as Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, HCO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻, H₄SiO₄, and organic acids. In contrast, a semi-empirical surface complexation modeling approach can be used to describe the U(VI) experimental data more precisely as a function of aqueous chemical conditions. This approach is useful as a tool to describe the variation in U(VI) retardation as a function of chemical conditions in field-scale reactive transport simulations, and the approach can be used at other field sites. However, the semi-empirical approach is limited by the site-specific nature of the model parameters.     

Sorption-desorption behavior of strontium-85 onto montmorillonite and silica colloids

Strontium-90 (⁹⁰Sr) is one of the major radioactive contaminants found in DP Canyon at Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA. Radioactive surveys found that ⁹⁰Sr is present in surface water and shallow alluvial groundwater environments in Los Alamos National laboratory (LANL). Colloids may influence the transport of this radionuclide in surface and groundwater environments in LANL. In this study, the authors investigated the sorption/desorption behavior of radioactive Sr on Ca-montmorillonite and silica colloids, and the effect of ionic strength of water on the sorption of Sr. Laboratory batch sorption experiments were conducted using ⁸⁵Sr as a surrogate for ⁹⁰Sr. Groundwater, collected from Well LAUZ-1 at DP Canyon and from Well J-13 at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, and deionized water, were used. The results show that 92–100% of the ⁸⁵Sr was rapidly adsorbed onto Ca-montmorillonite colloids in all three waters. Adsorption of ⁸⁵Sr onto silica colloids varied among the three waters. The ionic strength and Ca²⁺ concentration in groundwater significantly influence the adsorption of ⁸⁵Sr onto silica colloids. Desorption of ⁸⁵Sr from Ca-montmorillonite colloids is slower than from silica colloids. Desorption of ⁸⁵Sr from silica colloids was faster in LAUZ-1 groundwater than in J-13 groundwater and deionized water. The results suggest that clay and silica colloids may facilitate the transport of Sr along potential flowpaths from DP Canyon to Los Alamos Canyon.