Effect of grain size variation on strontium sorption to heterogeneous aquifer sediments.

Strontium-90 (Sr) is a major contaminant at nuclear legacy sites. The mobility of Sr is primarily governed by sorption reactions with sediments controlled by high surface area phases such as clay and iron oxides. Sr adsorption was investigated in heterogeneous unconsolidated aquifer sediments, analogous to those underlying the UK Sellafield nuclear site, with grainsizes ranging from gravels to clays.

Behaviour of carbon-14 containing low molecular weight organic compounds in contaminated groundwater under aerobic conditions.

Short chain carbon-14 (C) containing organic compounds can be formed by abiotic oxidation of carbides and impurities within nuclear fuel cladding. During fuel reprocessing and subsequent waste storage there is potential for these organic compounds to enter shallow subsurface environments due to accidental discharges. Currently there is little data on the persistence of these compounds in such environments.

Coprecipitation of (14)C and Sr with carbonate precipitates: The importance of reaction kinetics and recrystallization pathways.

This study investigated the simultaneous removal of Sr(2+) and (14)CO3(2-) from pH>12 Ca(OH)2 solution by the precipitation of calcium carbonate. Initial Ca(2+):CO3(2-) ratios ranged from 10:1 to 10:100 (mM:mM). Maximum removal of (14)C and Sr(2+) both occurred in the system containing 10mM Ca(2+) and 1mM CO3(2-) (99.