Americium colloid generation in groundwaters and its speciation by laser-induced photoacoustic spectroscopy

Humic Colloid Generation of Transuranic Elements in Groundwater and Their Migration Behaviour

The generation of humic colloids of Am(III) has been investigated in Gorleben groundwaters containing different amounts of humic substances. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in these groundwaters consists mainly of humic acid and fulvic acid, which is present in a colloidal form through aggregation with trace heavy metal ions of groundwater constituents. Concentrations of these heavy metal ions are proportional to the DOC concentration. The generation of Am(III) pseudocolloids through geochemical interactions with humic colloids in different groundwaters is quantified by ultrafiltration as well as ultracentrifugation by the aid of radiometric concentration measurements. The speciation of dissolved Am(III) species in groundwaters is carried out by laser induced photoacoustic spectroscopy (LPAS).

The Migration Behaviour of Transuranium Elements in Gorleben Aquifer Systems: Colloid Generation and Retention Process

The colloid generation as a part of the migration process of trans-uranic ions has been studied in the Gorlben aquifer system. From the migration study for the Gorleben repository site, typical examples are selected to demonstrate the influence of colloids. The quantification of colloid generation and its influence on the dissolution and geochemical sorption of transuranium elements are discussed.

A fluorescence spectroscopic study on the speciation of Cm(III) and Eu(III) in the presence of organic chelates in highly basic solutions

The speciation of Eu(III) and Cm(III) was investigated by time resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) over a range of base concentrations from 0.01M NaOH to 7.5M NaOH and in the presence of several organic chelates including EDTA, HEDTA, NTA, and oxalate. The results of this work suggest that both Eu(III) and Cm(III) form strong mixed ligand complexes with organic chelates and the hydroxyl groups(s) in dilute NaOH solutions. However, in concentrated NaOH solutions, Eu(III)-/Cm(III)-containing colloidal nanoparticles are the primary cause for the measured Eu(III)/Cm(III) in the aqueous solutions. Therefore, the interpretation of these data solely in terms of the formation of amphoteric hydroxyl species ( e.g. Eu(OH)4 -) would appear to be inappropriate. The organic chelating ligands form strong complexes with surface Cm(III)/Eu(III) sites of the colloidal nanoparticles. For Cm(III), such surface complexes show largely red-shifted fluorescence spectra as compared with the aqueous complexes and unusually short fluorescence lifetimes. The decreased fluorescence lifetimes are likely due to the presence of transition metal impurities in the nanoparticle and reduced inter-nuclear distance between neighboring Cm(III) centers.

Distribution of organic carbon, selected stable elements and artificial radionuclides among dissolved, colloidal and particulate phases in the Rhône River (France): preliminary results

The behaviour of radionuclides discharged from nuclear facilities in the Rhône River depends on their distribution among the dissolved, colloidal and particulate phases. A large water sample was fractionated using sequential ultrafiltration. Size distributions of organic carbon, Fe, Al, Si, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, 137Cs, 60Co and 106Ru were obtained. Our results show that organic colloids account for 11% of the total organic carbon content. Approximately 20% of the dissolved (< 450 nm) Fe and Al are in colloidal classes. 137Cs is not significantly transferred by the colloidal phase while 25% of 60Co or 106Ru is associated with organic and inorganic colloids.

The Chemical Behavior of Transuranium Elements and Barrier Functions in Natural Aquifer Systems

The chemical behavior of transuranium elements in natural aquifer systems is governed by a variety of geochemical reactions, such as dissolution reaction (solubility), hydrolysis, complexation with inorganics or organics, redox reaction, colloid formation, geochemical interaction with surfaces of various minerals, coprecipitation, mineralization, etc. This paper reviews the present state of knowledge on some of these particular reactions. The emphasis here is on how the individual reactions can be appraised for long-term prediction of the geochemical behavior of transuranium elements in the natural environment. of the various possible reactions, the primary thermodynamic processes are discussed with notable examples: dissolution of transuranium compounds in aquatic solution; complexation with important anions present in groundwater; and colloid generation. Various laser spectroscopic methods in use for chemical speciation are mentioned briefly for their spectroscopic capability, as well as for their applicability. The present paper attempts to better understand the migration behavior of transuranium elements in natural aquifer systems.