The Interactions of Low-Level, Liquid Radioactive Wastes With Soils

Fowler, E.B.; Essington, E.H.; Polzer, W.L.

doi:10.1097/00010694-198107000-00002

Cited by 7 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…Among these methods are high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC, with pre-concentration, [64]), batch arrangements for adsorption [67], ion exchange [64,70], and solvent extraction [70], These methods are very useful in model experiments (see below), and can be used for an analysis of contaminated or waste waters [64,76].…”

Section: Methods For Direct Speciation Analysis Of Aerosolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Speciation of Radionuclides in the Environment

Gunten

Beneš

1995

Radiochimica Acta

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Methods for the determination of the speciation of radionuclides in aerosols, in aquatic solutions, in sediments, soils and rocks are reviewed. At present, most of the results about speciation are deduced from model calculations, model experiments, and separation of species (forms) of radionuclides, e.g., by sequential extraction procedures. Methods of direct determination of speciation of radionuclides (e.g., by laser induced spectroscopy) are in general not yet sensitive enough for a measurement of the very low concentrations of radionuclides in the environment. The methodological part of this paper is followed by a review of the very abundant literature about speciation of important radionuclides in the environment, i.e., in the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphère. The review does not include the biosphere. Literature up to spring 1993 is included (with a few more recent additions).

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Section: Methods For Direct Speciation Analysis Of Aerosolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Speciation of Radionuclides in the Environment

Gunten

Beneš

1995

Radiochimica Acta

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“…Radionuclide mobility may be altered by reduct.jn of the radionuclide [8,11]. This may be postulated to occur chemically as the result of the extremely reducing conditions characteristic of an ecosystem wherein methane is generated, or to result from direct reduction of the metal by the microbes.…”

Section: Soil Redox Potential (E N ) and Radionuclide Mobilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of microbial processes on radionuclide mobility in shallow land burial. [West Valley, NY; Beatty, Nevada; Maxey Flats, Kentucky]

Colombo¹,

Tate²,

Weiss³

1982

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To assess the impact of microbial metabolism of the organic substituents of low level radioactive wastes on radionuclide mobility in disposal sites, the nature of the microbial transformations involved in this metabolism and the effect of the prevailing environmental parameters on the quantities and types of metabolic intermediates accumulated were examined. Since both aerobic and anaerobic periods can occur during trench ecosystem development, oxidation capacities of the microbial community in the presence and absence of oxygen were analyzed. Results of gas studies performed at three commercial low level radioactive waste disposal sites were reviewed. Several deficiencies in available data were determined. Further research needs are suggested. The predominant microbial transformations involved with organic matter decomposition processes in the low-level radioactive waste disposal trench are anaerobic, i.e., they occur in the absence of molecular oxygen. This conclusion is supported by detection of methane gas evolution from trench sites, by the nature of the organic substances accumulated in trench waters, and by analysis of trench construction procedures. Methane is only synthesized biologically under extremely reducing (anaerobic) atmospheres. Placement of the trench within the soil profile and, in many cases, the water saturated conditions existent within the trench cavity, preclude significant oxygen diffusion to the active microbial communities. Major metabolic products detected in trench waters result from fermentation, anaerobic respiration, and 6-oxidation of various waste components. These reactions yield organic acids, alcohols, etc. Under proper conditions, the organic acids serve as substrates for methane and carbon dioxide synthesis. Actually, because of the heterogeneous placements of waste materials within the trench, methane may be the terminal metabolic product at one site, while organic acids accumulate at an adjacent site within the same trench. Thus, significant quantities of organic acids are detected in trench waters collected from a methane producing site. This results from the localized occurrence of conditions inhibitory to methane synthesis. At sites which vn are not water saturated, conditions may not be favorable for significant methane synthesis. The terminal metabolic products would then be organic acids and amines. These products, under proper conditions, may transport nuclides from the site in trench gases or drainage waters. The majority of the water-soluble organic compounds detected in trench waters are postulated to be products of anaerobic metabolic processes. These include several straight and branched chain organic acids. The aromatic acids found in trench waters may originate in the primary waste material or be formed by partial metabolism of more complex aromatic compounds. The aromatic nuclei of these compounds accumulate in the waters due to their relative biodegradation resistance under anaerobic conditions. Other organic compounds which are recalcitrant in the anaerob...

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