Solubility of crystalline thorium dioxide

Thermal Energy Transport in Oxide Nuclear Fuel

To efficiently capture the energy of the nuclear bond, advanced nuclear reactor concepts seek solid fuels that must withstand unprecedented temperature and radiation extremes. In these advanced fuels, thermal energy transport under irradiation is directly related to reactor performance as well as reactor safety. The science of thermal transport in nuclear fuel is a grand challenge as a result of both computational and experimental complexities. Here we provide a comprehensive review of thermal transport research on two actinide oxides: one currently in use in commercial nuclear reactors, uranium dioxide (UO₂), and one advanced fuel candidate material, thorium dioxide (ThO₂). In both materials, heat is carried by lattice waves or phonons. Crystalline defects caused by fission events effectively scatter phonons and lead to a degradation in fuel performance over time. Bolstered by new computational and experimental tools, researchers are now developing the foundational work necessary to accurately model and ultimately control thermal transport in advanced nuclear fuels. We begin by reviewing research aimed at understanding thermal transport in perfect single crystals. The absence of defects enables studies that focus on the fundamental aspects of phonon transport. Next, we review research that targets defect generation and evolution. Here the focus is on ion irradiation studies used as surrogates for damage caused by fission products. We end this review with a discussion of modeling and experimental efforts directed at predicting and validating mesoscale thermal transport in the presence of irradiation defects. While efforts in these research areas have been robust, challenging work remains in developing holistic tools to capture and predict thermal energy transport across widely varying environmental conditions.

Accountancy for intrinsic colloids on thorium solubility: The fractionation of soluble species and the characterization of solubility limiting phase

The extensive hydrolysis of tetravalent actinides leads to polynuclear formations through oxygen bridging facilitating the formation of colloids as end products. The pH, ionic strength has phenomenal effects on Thorium colloids formation. The quantitative estimation of colloids facilitates the fraction of soluble fraction into ionic, polymeric and colloidal forms of thorium. The colloids accountability and precipitate characterization explains the discrepancies in estimated solubility limits. The supernatants of long equilibrated (∼3 years) saturated thorium solution under various pH (5- 11) and ionic strengths (0-3 M NaClO₄) were analysed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) and Ion Chromatography (IC) to determine total and ionic thorium respectively. Laser Induced Breakdown Detection (LIBD) was employed to determine the colloid size and concentrations. The precipitates were characterized by calorimetry and XRD to determine the solubility limiting phase. The results of pH, IC, ICP-MS, and LIBD measurements on the aged thorium samples are discussed with regard to the mechanism of the formation of thorium colloids. The results revealed the formation of colloids having particle size (10-40 nm) at concentrations (10⁹-10¹¹ particles/mL). The colloids accountancy resulted in estimated solubility products to 2-4 orders lower than their inclusion as soluble thorium. The soluble thorium was fractionated quantitatively into ionic, polymeric and colloidal forms of thorium. The precipitates formed are found to be semi amorphous.

Solubilities and solubility products of thorium hydroxide under moderate temperature conditions

The Th solubilities of the sample solutions that initially contained Th(OH)4(am) prepared by undersaturation and oversaturation methods in the pHcrange of 2.0–8.0 in a 0.5 M ionic strength solution of NaClO4and HClO4and stored at aging temperatures (Ta) of 298, 313 and 333 K were investigated in this study. After a certain period of time up to 40 weeks depending onTa, supernatants of the sample solutions were ultrafiltrated through 3 kDa membranes under the measurement temperature (Tm) of 298, 313 and 333 K. Size distributions of the colloidal species were investigated by ultrafiltration using membranes with different pore sizes ranging from 3 to 100 kDa, and the solid phases were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The solubility of the sample solutions obtained after aging atTa=298 K using undersaturation method with continuous shaking was similar to those of dried precipitate of Th hydroxide. The solubilities obtained after aging atTa=313 and 333 K were lower than those atTa=298 K. The XRD spectra suggested that the crystallization of the solid phase proceeded under these elevated temperatures. The solubility of the sample solutions obtained after aging atTa=333 K using the oversaturation technique were similar to those prepared by undersaturation method and aged at the sameTa. A slight temperature dependence of the apparent solubilities on theTmwas observed in the sample solutions prepared by both methods. The solubility products$({K_{{\text{sp,}}{T_{\text{a}}}}}({T_{\text{m}}}))$after differentTaandTmwere determined from the solubility analysis. The observed increase in the formation constant$({K_{{\text{s,}}{T_{\text{a}}}}}({T_{\text{m}}}))$of Th4++(4+x)H2O(1)⇌Th(OH)4·xH2O(s,Ta)+4H+with increasingTmindicated that the reaction was endothermic. The enthalpy change$(\Delta_{r}H_{m\_ T_{\text{a}} \to {\text{cr}}}^{\circ} )$between the solid phases of Th(OH)4·xH2O(s,Ta) and ThO2(cr) suggested that the solid phase transformation from Th(OH)4·xH2O(s,Ta) to ThO2(cr) contains an endothermic process.

Aqueous chemistry of Ce(iv): estimations using actinide analogues

The prediction of cerium (Ce) aqueous speciation is relevant in many research fields. Indeed, Ce compounds are used for many industrial applications, which may require the control of Ce aqueous chemistry for their synthesis. The aquatic geochemistry of Ce is also of interest. Due to its growing industrial use and its release into the environment, Ce is now considered as an emerging contaminant. Cerium is also used as a proxy of (paleo)redox conditions due to the Ce(iv)/Ce(iii) redox transition. Finally, Ce(iv) is often presented as a relevant analogue of tetravalent actinides (An(iv)). In the present study, quantum chemical calculations were conducted to highlight the similarities between the structures of Ce(iv) and tetravalent actinide (An(iv); An = Th, Pa, U, Np, Pu) aqua-ions, especially Pu(iv). The current knowledge of An(iv) hydrolysis, solubility and colloid formation in water was briefly reviewed but important discrepancies were observed in the available data for Ce(iv). Therefore, new estimations of the hydrolysis constants of Ce(iv) and the solubility of Ce(iv)-(hydr)oxides are proposed, by analogy with Pu(iv). By plotting pH-Eh (Pourbaix) diagrams, we showed that the pH values corresponding to the onset of Ce(iv) species formation (i.e. Ce(iv)-(hydr)oxide or dissolved Ce(iv)) agreed with various experimental results. Although further experimental studies are required to obtain a more accurate thermodynamic database, the present work might yet help to predict more accurately the Ce chemical behavior in aqueous solution.

Topological speciation of actinide–transferrin complexes by capillary isoelectric focusing coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: evidence of the non-closure of the lobes

Speciation of plutonium–transferrin complexes by capillary isoelectric focusing coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Retardation of uranium and thorium by a cementitious backfill developed for radioactive waste disposal

The solubility of uranium and thorium has been measured under the conditions anticipated in a cementitious, geological disposal facility for low and intermediate level radioactive waste. Similar solubilities were obtained for thorium in all media, comprising NaOH, Ca(OH)₂ and water equilibrated with a cement designed as repository backfill (NRVB, Nirex Reference Vault Backfill). In contrast, the solubility of U(VI) was one order of magnitude higher in NaOH than in the remaining solutions. The presence of cellulose degradation products (CDP) results in a comparable solubility increase for both elements. Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) data suggest that the solubility-limiting phase for uranium corresponds to a becquerelite-type solid whereas thermodynamic modelling predicts a poorly crystalline, hydrated calcium uranate phase. The solubility-limiting phase for thorium was ThO₂ of intermediate crystallinity. No breakthrough of either uranium or thorium was observed in diffusion experiments involving NRVB after three years. Nevertheless, backscattering electron microscopy and microfocus X-ray fluorescence confirmed that uranium had penetrated about 40 μm into the cement, implying active diffusion governed by slow dissolution-precipitation kinetics. Precise identification of the uranium solid proved difficult, displaying characteristics of both calcium uranate and becquerelite.

Assessment of surface reactivity of thorium oxide in conditions close to chemical equilibrium by isotope exchange 229Th/232Th method

This work aims to assess the solubility and the surface reactivity of crystallized thorium at pH 3.0 in presence of three types of solids: synthesized powder at 1300°C, crushed kernel, and intact kernel. In this study, the kernel is composed by the core solid from high temperature reactors (HTR) sphere particles. The originality of this work consisted in following in a sequential order the kinetic of dissolution, the surface reactivity in presence of isotope tracer 229Th, and its desorption process. Long time experiments (634 days) allowed to get deeper understanding on the behavior of the surface reactivity in contact with the solution. Solubility values are ranging from 0.3×10−7 mol·L−1 to 3×10−7 mol·L−1 with a dissolution rate of 10−6–10−4 g·m−2 day−1. PHREEQC modeling showed that crystallized ThO2(cr, 20 nm) phase controls the equilibrium in solution. Isotope exchange between 229Th and 232Th indicated that well-crystallized phase exist as an inert surface regarding to the absence of exchange between surface solid and solution.

Insights into the sonochemical synthesis and properties of salt-free intrinsic plutonium colloids

Fundamental knowledge on intrinsic plutonium colloids is important for the prediction of plutonium behaviour in the geosphere and in engineered systems. The first synthetic route to obtain salt-free intrinsic plutonium colloids by ultrasonic treatment of PuO₂ suspensions in pure water is reported. Kinetics showed that both chemical and mechanical effects of ultrasound contribute to the mechanism of Pu colloid formation. In the first stage, fragmentation of initial PuO₂ particles provides larger surface contact between cavitation bubbles and solids. Furthermore, hydrogen formed during sonochemical water splitting enables reduction of Pu(IV) to more soluble Pu(III), which then re-oxidizes yielding Pu(IV) colloid. A comparative study of nanostructured PuO₂ and Pu colloids produced by sonochemical and hydrolytic methods, has been conducted using HRTEM, Pu L_III-edge XAS, and O K-edge NEXAFS/STXM. Characterization of Pu colloids revealed a correlation between the number of Pu-O and Pu-Pu contacts and the atomic surface-to-volume ratio of the PuO₂ nanoparticles. NEXAFS indicated that oxygen state in hydrolytic Pu colloid is influenced by hydrolysed Pu(IV) species to a greater extent than in sonochemical PuO₂ nanoparticles. In general, hydrolytic and sonochemical Pu colloids can be described as core-shell nanoparticles composed of quasi-stoichiometric PuO₂ cores and hydrolyzed Pu(IV) moieties at the surface shell.

Issues concerning the determination of solubility products of sparingly soluble crystalline solids: solubility of HfO2(cr)

Solubility studies were conducted with HfO2(cr) solid as a function HCl and ionic strength ranging from 2.0 to 0.004 mol kg−1. These studies involved 1) using two different amounts of the solid phase, 2) acid washing the bulk solid phase, 3) preheating the solid phase to 1400 °C, and 4) heating amorphous HfO2(am) suspensions to 90 °C to ascertain whether the HfO2(am) converts to HfO2(cr) and to determine the solubility from the oversaturation direction. Based on the results of these treatments it is concluded that the HfO2(cr) contains a small fraction of less crystalline, but not amorphous, material [HfO2(lcr)] and this, rather than the HfO2(cr), is the solubility-controlling phase in the range of experimental variables investigated in this study. The solubility data are interpreted using both the Pitzer and SIT models and they provide log10 K 0 values of −(59.75±0.35)and −(59.48±0.41), respectively, for the solubility product of HfO2(lcr)[HfO2(lcr) + 2H2O ⇌ Hf4+ + 4OH−]. The log10 of the solubility product of HfO2(cr)is estimated to be < −63. The observation of a small fraction of less crystalline higher solubility material is consistent with the general picture that mineral surfaces are often structurally and/or compositionally imperfect leading to a higher solubility than the bulk crystalline solid. This study stresses the urgent need, during interpretation of solubility data, of taking precautions to make certain that the observed solubility behavior for sparingly-soluble solids is assigned to the proper solid phase.

Effect of anthropogenic organic complexants on the solubility of Ni, Th, U(IV) and U(VI)

The influence of anthropogenic organic complexants (citrate, EDTA and DTPA from 0.005 to 0.1M) on the solubility of nickel(II), thorium(IV) and uranium (U(IV) and U(VI)) has been studied. Experiments were carried out in 95%-saturated Ca(OH)2 solutions, representing the high pH conditions anticipated in the near field of a cementitious intermediate level radioactive waste repository. Results showed that Ni(II) solubility increased by 2-4 orders of magnitude in the presence of EDTA and DTPA and from 3 to 4 orders of magnitude in the case of citrate. Citrate had the greatest effect on the solubility of Th(IV) and U(IV)/(VI). XRD and SEM analyses indicate that the precipitates are largely amorphous; only in the case of Ni(II), is there some evidence of incipient crystallinity, in the form of Ni(OH)2 (theophrastite). A study of the effect of calcium suggests that U(VI) and Ni(II) may form metal-citrate-OH complexes stabilised by Ca(2+). Thermodynamic modelling underestimates the concentrations in solution in the presence of the ligands for all the elements considered here. Further investigation of the behaviour of organic ligands under hyperalkaline conditions is important because of the use of the thermodynamic constants in preparing the safety case for the geological disposal of radioactive wastes.

Solubility and redox reactions of Pu(IV) hydrous oxide: Evidence for the formation of PuO2+x(s, hyd)

The solubility and redox reactions of Pu(IV) hydrous oxide were analyzed by comparing total Pu concentrations, oxidation state distributions and simultaneously measured redox potentials under air and under Ar containing only traces of oxygen. At pH>3 the aqueous Pu concentration is dominated by Pu(V) for both solubility studies under air and argon. Combining all information strongly indicates that PuO2+x(s,hyd), mixed valent (PuV)2x(PuIV)1-2xO2+x(s,hyd) or (PuO2.5)2x(PuO2)1-2x(s,hyd) withx= 0.003 (present study) andx= 0.05–0.06 (literature studies under air), is the solubility controlling solid phase. It can be formed by the oxidation of PuO2(s,hyd) with the oxygen in the system and by co-precipitation of Pu(V) and Pu(IV). The Pu4+concentration is given by the known solubility product of Pu(IV) hydrous oxide and the PuO2+concentration is described by the solubility product (Ksp= [PuO2+][OH-]) for the fraction of Pu(V) in PuO2+x(s,hyd): logK°sp= −14.0±0.8 at zero ionic strength. Small Pu(IV) colloids/polymers present in neutral to alkaline solutions at a constant level of log[Pu(IV)]coll= −8.3±1.0 play an important role for the redox potentials in these systems. Similar Pu(V) concentrations and redox potentials were reached from oversaturation in initially Pu(VI) solutions.

Ion interaction (SIT) coefficients for the Th4+ ion and trace activity coefficients in NaClO4, NaNO3 and NaCl solution determined by solvent extraction with TBP

Trace activity coefficients of the Th4+ ion in dilute to concentrated NaClO4, NaNO3 and NaCl solutions ([H+]=0.01−0.02 M) have been determined at 22 °C from liquid-liquid phase equilibria with 10−50 vol.% TBP in n-dodecane. Using the specific ion interaction theory (SIT) to describe these equilibria as a function of the medium electrolyte concentration, the following ion interaction coefficients are calculated: ε(Th4+, ClO4 -)=0.70±0.06 kg/mol and ε(Th4+, NO3 -) = 0.31±0.12 kg/mol. The latter value differs considerably from ε(Th4+, NO3 -) = 0.11±0.02 kg/mol used in the NEA-TDB. The low distribution coefficients at m NaCl<3 mol/kg do not allow the linear SIT extrapolation to I=0, but the equilibrium constants in 2.5−5.0 m NaCl are compatible with the NEA-TDB value of ε(Th4+, Cl-)=0.25±0.03 kg/mol.

The SIT coefficients determined for the Th4+ ion follow the linear correlations between known values of ε(M Z+, NO3 -), ε(M Z+, Cl-) and ε(M Z+, ClO4 -) for non-complexed cations MZ+ with Z=1−4, including ε(Pu4+, ClO4 -)=0.82±0.07 kg/mol and ε(Pu4+, Cl-)=0.37±0.05 kg/mol calculated from data accepted in the NEA-TDB. The interaction coefficients in the series of the tetravalent actinide ions show a slight systematic dependence on the ionic radius.

Formation and hydrolysis of polynuclear Th(IV) complexes – a nano-electrospray mass-spectrometry study

Polynuclear hydroxide complexes play an important role for the hydrolysis of tetravalent thorium ions in aqueous solution, in particular for Th(IV) concentrations exceeding some [Th(IV)]=10−4 M. Consequently, these polymers must be considered when describing hydrolysis of Th(IV) or dissolution processes of Th(IV) solids. In the past, considerable efforts were made to obtain equilibrium formation constants of these polymers and different stoichiometries for dimers, tetramers and hexamers have been suggested. However, most information was obtained from indirect methods, in particular, from potentiometric titrations. In the present work, we present an approach of directly quantifying polymeric metal hydroxide complexes in solution. By nano-electrospray mass-spectrometry the degrees of polymerization, i.e. the numbers of Th4+ ions and the numbers of hydroxide ligands, and as a consequence, also the charges of the complexes are measured. All mono- and polynuclear species which are present in solution are quantified simultaneously down to species contributing less than 0.1% of the total [Th(IV)] concentration. Solutions of [Th(IV)]=6×10−6–10−1 M are investigated in HCl at [H+]=10−4–0.1 M. More than 30 different polymeric complexes are observed with the general trend of increasing number of hydroxide ligands with decreasing acidity. A surprising finding is the presence of the pentamer Th5(OH)y z +, which was not described in the literature before. With decreasing Th(IV) concentration the stability field of polymers narrows continuously until polymers can no longer be detected below [Th(IV)]=10−5 M.

Solubility and colloid formation of Th(IV) in concentrated NaCl and MgCl2solution

The solubility of crystalline ThO2(cr) and amorphous hydrated Th(IV) oxyhydroxide ThOn(OH)4-2n·xH2O(am) has been measured in dilute to concentrated NaCl and MgCl2solutions equilibrated with magnesium hydroxide or hydroxychloride at 22±2 °C. The contributions of colloids to the total thorium concentrations observed in both over- and undersaturation experiments with amorphous Th(IV) precipitates have been analysed by ultracentrifugation. The solubility increasing effect of long-time stable Th(IV) eigencolloids, previously investigated in 0.5 M NaCl solutions, is also observed in concentrated 5 M NaCl. Ionic strength and chloride concentration have no effect on the stability of these hydrophilic Th(IV) oxyhydroxide eigencolloids, which are the predominant species in solution. They cause relatively high total thorium concentration in neutral to alkaline steady state solutions, independent of ionic strength: log[Th]tot≈log[Th]coll=-6.3±0.5. In concentrated MgCl2solutions saturated with magnesium hydroxychloride colloids, the formation of pseudocolloids,i.e., Th(IV) sorbed onto Mg2(OH)3Cl·4H2O(coll), leads to a further increase of the total thorium concentration up to 10-5M. The present results are discussed with regard to maximum Th(IV) and Pu(IV) concentrations in performance assessment calculations.

Hydrolysis of plutonium(IV) in acidic solutions: no effect of hydrolysis on absorption-spectra of mononuclear hydroxide complexes

Tetravalent plutonium readily undergoes hydrolysis even in highly acidic aqueous solutions. In the past, many attempts were made to quantify hydrolysis species by means of optical absorption spectroscopy. In the present work solutions ranging from 10−5M to 10-2M (total Pu) concentration in 0.5 M HCl/NaCl (0.3 < pHc< 2.1) are carefully investigated by combining absorption-spectroscopy (UV-Vis, liquid core waveguide capillary) and laser-induced breakdown detection, with special emphasis on the limited solubility of Pu(IV). The results clearly indicate that all changes in the absorption spectra originate from the formation of Pu-polyspecies and colloids. The molar absorptivity of mononuclear Pu(IV) hydroxide complexes does not vary with increasing pHcand ongoing hydrolysis. The normalized absorption spectra of at least the first and the second hydroxide complex (Pu(OH)n4-nn= 1, 2) do not differ from those of the hydrated Pu4+ion.

Solubility of Zr(IV), Th(IV) and Pu(IV) hydrous oxides in CaCl2solutions and the formation of ternary Ca-M(IV)-OH complexes

The solubility of Zr(IV), Th(IV) and Pu(IV) hydrous oxides is investigated at 22±2 °C in alkaline 0.1−4.5 M CaCl2solutions. Further studies are performed with Zr(IV) over the entire pH range in NaCl and CaCl2media, and with Zr(IV) and Th(IV) in alkaline Ca(ClO4)2solutions. The comparison of Zr(IV) data in different ionic media (NaCl, NaClO4, CaCl2and Ca(ClO4)2) of similar ionic strength shows that the solubility in the acidic and neutral pH range is not affected by strong interactions between the aqueous M(IV) species and the medium ions. However, in alkaline CaCl2and Ca(ClO4)2solutions the formation of ternary Ca-M(IV)-OH complexes causes unexpectedly high solubilities of Zr(IV) at pHc=10−12 and [Ca2+]>0.05 M and of Th(IV) at pHc=11−12 and [Ca2+]>0.5 M. The dependence of the Zr(IV) and Th(IV) solubilities on the H+and CaCl2concentrations shows that the complexes Zr(OH)62−and Th(OH)84−with an unusual large number of OH−ligands are stabilized by the formation of associates or ion pairs with Ca2+ions. The SIT is used to derive equilibrium constants at zero ionic strength for the complexes Zr(OH)62−(in calcium-free solutions), Ca2[Zr(OH)6]2+, Ca3[Zr(OH)6]4+and Ca4[Th(OH)8]4+. In analogous studies with Pu(IV) hydrous oxide, the solubility increasing effect of ternary complex formation with Ca2+ions is only observed at CaCl2concentrations above 2 M.

Structures of Dimeric Hydrolysis Products of Thorium

Three unique thorium dimeric compounds have been crystallized from either direct hydrolysis of Th4+(aq)/HCl or titration of Th(OH)4(am) with Th(NO3)4(aq) and their structures determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound [Th2(micro2-OH)2(NO3)6(H2O)6]H2O (1) is identical to that identified previously by Johansson. Two additional unreported compounds have been identified, [Th2(micro2-OH)2(NO3)4(H2O)8](NO3)2 (2) and [Th2(micro2-OH)2Cl2(H2O)12]Cl4.2H2O (3). 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c, with a = 6.792(2) A, b = 11.710(4) A, c = 13.778(5) A, and beta = 102.714(5) degrees and 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n, with a = 6.926(5) A, b = 7.207(1) A, c = 21.502(1) A, and beta = 96.380(1) degrees . The chloride-containing dimer, 3, crystallizes in triclinic P, with a = 8.080(2) A, b = 8.880(2) A, c = 9.013(2) A, alpha = 97.41(3) degrees , beta = 91.00(3), and gamma = 116.54(3) degrees . We also present high-energy X-ray scattering data demonstrating the presence of the hydroxo-bridged moiety in solution and discuss our findings in the context of known solid-state structures. The three structures demonstrate 11-, 10-, and 9-coordinate thorium, respectively, and coupled with the scattering experiments provide additional structural and chemical insight into tetravalent actinide hydrolysis.

Combined LIBD and XAFS investigation of the formation and structure of Zr(IV) colloids

The solubility of Zr(OH)4(am)--in other words hydrated Zr(IV) oxyhydroxide--is determined by means of coulometric titration (CT), and colloids are detected by laser-induced breakdown when the solubility limit is exceeded. Our results at pH 3-8 demonstrate that the solubility of Zr(OH)4(am) is several orders of magnitude higher than reported classical solubility data for acidic solutions, determined from undersaturation with a less soluble microcrystalline Zr(IV) oxide precipitate. Analysis of extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) data shows that the microcrystalline colloids in a 0.1 mol l(-1) Zr aqueous solution at pH 0.2 contain tetrameric units, similar to those present in the structure of ZrOCl2.8H2O. Characterization of the CT solutions by means of EXAFS shows that oligomeric species form as the solubility limit is approached. The current lack of data on equilibrium constants for polynuclear hydroxide complexes prohibits the use of a realistic speciation model to describe the solubility of pH-dependent Zr(OH)4(am). However, the solubility curve is obtained using the mononuclear hydrolysis constants estimated in the present paper, along with the solubility constant (log K'sp=-49.9+/-0.5 in 0.5 mol l(-1) NaCl; log K degrees(sp)=-53.1+/-0.5 at I=0).

Mechanisms of thorium migration in a semiarid soil

Thorium concentrations at Kirtland Air Force Base training sites in Albuquerque, NM, have been previously described; however, the mechanisms of thorium migration were not fully understood. This work describes the processes affecting thorium mobility in this semiarid soil, which has implications for future remedial action. Aqueous extraction and filtration experiments have demonstrated the colloidal nature of thorium in the soil, due in part to the low solubility of thorium oxide. Colloidal material was defined as that removed by a 0.22-microm or smaller filter after being filtered to nominally dissolved size (0.45 microm). Additionally, association of thorium with natural organic matter is suggested by micro- and ultrafiltration methods, and electrokinetic data, which indicate thorium migration as a negatively charged particle or anionic complex with organic matter. Soil fractionation and digestion experiments show a bimodal distribution of thorium in the largest and smallest size fractions, most likely associated with detrital plant material and inorganic oxide particles, respectively. Plant uptake studies suggest this could also be a mode of thorium migration as plants grown in thorium-containing soil had a higher thorium concentration than those in control soils. Soil erosion laboratory experiments with wind and surface water overflow were performed to determine bulk soil material movement as a possible mechanism of mobility. Information from these experiments is being used to determine viable soil stabilization techniques at the site to maintain a usable training facility with minimal environmental impact.