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Migration of 134Cs in unsaturated soils at a site in Egypt

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Abstract

To demonstrate the safety performance assessment for the disposal of 134Cs radionuclide in a geological formation, several investigations were required to calculate the possible release of radionuclides into groundwater. This research examined the sorption behavior of radioactive cesium (134Cs) in natural groundwater. Cesium chloride (10-6 to 10-2 mol.l-1) was used as a carrier, traced with 134Cs radionuclide. Distribution coefficients of radiocesium for sorption and desorption were measured on natural soil samples of different grain size fractions (ł400 to ł36 mm). Cesium sorption and desorption were found reversible at cesium chloride concentrations between 10-6 mol.l-1 to less than 10-3 mol.l-1. Sequential extraction procedures showed that the cesium sorption on soils were of various types: those easily desorbed, ion-exchanged, bound to carbonate, iron oxides, and organic matter. To demonstrate the safety performance assessment for the disposal of 134Cs radionuclide in a geological formation, several investigations were required to calculate the possible release of radionuclides into groundwater. This research examined the sorption behavior of radioactive cesium (134Cs) in natural groundwater. Cesium chloride (10-6 to 10-2 mol.l-1) was used as a carrier, traced with 134Cs radionuclide. Distribution coefficients of radiocesium for sorption and desorption were measured on natural soil samples of different grain size fractions (ł400 to ł36 mm). Cesium sorption and desorption were found reversible at cesium chloride concentrations between 10-6 mol.l-1 to less than 10-3 mol.l-1. Sequential extraction procedures showed that the cesium sorption on soils were of various types: those easily desorbed, ion-exchanged, bound to carbonate, iron oxides, and organic matter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Radiation Protection Department, Nuclear Research Center, Atomic Energy Authority, P. O. Box 13759, Cairo, Egypt

    N. H. M. Kamel

  2. Environmental Engineering and Science, Clemeson University, 342 Computer Court, Anderson, SC o29625-6510, USA

    J. D. Navratil

Authors
  1. N. H. M. Kamel
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  2. J. D. Navratil
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Kamel, N.H.M., Navratil, J.D. Migration of 134Cs in unsaturated soils at a site in Egypt. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 254, 421–430 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021669500684

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