Sorption behavior of U(VI), ~(234)U(VI) and ~(238)U(VI) onto fracture-filling clays in Beishan granite, Gansu: Application to selecting the site of high-level radwaste repository in China

Knowing the transport of uranium and radionu-clides through the environment is important for as-sessing the risk posed by long-term disposal of rad-waste. Granitic rocks have been selected as a host-rock type for the first high-level radwaste repository in China. According to the Chinese High-level Rad-waste Management Program, high-level radwaste (HLW) will be buried at 800―1000 m depth in a granitic pluton in Northwest China and, specifically, in the A granitic complex of Beishan area,…

Sorption behavior of U(VI), 234U(VI) and 238U(VI) onto fracture-filling clays in Beishan granite, Gansu: Application to selecting the site of high-level radwaste repository in China

The first results of sorption experiments of U(VI), 234U(VI) and 238U(VI) onto original (unpurified) fracture-filling clays from No.1 monzonitic granite intrusion, Beishan area, Gansu Province, China are reported. The monzonitic granite intrusion is a potential location for a high-level radwaste (HLW) repository in China. The present experimental results show that the maximum U(VI) sorption reached 92% at near-neutral pH and the distribution coefficient (Kd) was 1226 mL/g. A high sorption capacity of the fracture-filling clays in host rock on radioactive ele-ments is necessary for HLW deep geological disposal repository. No preferential sorption of 234U onto the clays was found. Finally, the sorption of U(VI) onto the clays was also modeled using a surface complexation model.