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Sorption of plutonium on geological materials associated with a Chinese radioactive waste repository: influence of pH

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Abstract

The aim of this study is to characterize plutonium sorption particularly 239Pu distribution coefficients and the influence of pH on sorption processes in saturated geological materials used as a radioactive waste repository in China. The examined geological media is from a southwestern Chinese repository and consists of soil and slates. The backfill material consists of Na-bentonite from Inner Mongolia Gaomiaozi, and will be used at the Beishan high-level waste (HLW) repository, Gansu Province. The results show that the sorption capacity of Pu by geological medium in an acidic environment is low, but significantly increases with increasing pH.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Returned Overseas Talents to Science and Technology Foundation—Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security Key Projects (No. 14zs0101); Sichuan Province Science Foundation for Young Scientists (No. 15zs2111); Open Project of the Key Laboratory of Neutron Physics and Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics (No. 15zh0007) and by Research Funding of Southwest University of Science and Technology (No. 13zx7135, 14zx7118, 14tdfk08, 15zx7101, 15zx7108 and 15yyhk14). Detailed criticisms by a referee are gratefully acknowledged.

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. State Key Laboratory of Geoharzard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059, China

      Yangchun Leng & Xianguo Tuo

    2. Fundamental Science on Nuclear Wastes and Environmental Safety Laboratory, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China

      Yangchun Leng, Mark Julian Henderson, Jérémie Courtois, Huailiang Li, Xianguo Tuo & Minhao Yan

    3. State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base for Nonmetal Composites and Functional Materials, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China

      Mark Julian Henderson, Jérémie Courtois, Kun Xiong & Minhao Yan

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    1. Yangchun Leng
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    Correspondence to Xianguo Tuo.

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    Yangchun Leng and Mark Julian Henderson contributed equally to this work.

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    Leng, Y., Henderson, M.J., Courtois, J. et al. Sorption of plutonium on geological materials associated with a Chinese radioactive waste repository: influence of pH. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 308, 895–903 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4594-3

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4594-3

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