Solid/liquid ratios of trace elements and radionuclides during a Nuclear Power Plant liquid discharge in the Seine River: Field measurements vs geochemical modeling.

This study focuses on the determination of field solid/liquid ratios (Rd) values of trace element (TE) and radionuclide (RN) in the Seine River (France) during a concerted low radioactivity level liquid regulatory discharge performed by a Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) and their confrontation with Kd values calculated from geochemical modeling. This research focuses on how field Rd measurements of TE and RN can be representative of Kd values and how Kd models should be improved. For this purpose 5 sampling points of the Seine River during a NPP's liquid discharge were investigated: upstream from the discharge in order to assess the natural background values in the area of effluent discharge, the total river water mixing distance (with transect sampling), and 2 points downstream from this last area. The main parameters required determining field Rd of TE and RN and their geochemical modeling (Kd) were acquired. Filtered waters were analyzed for alkalinity, anions, cations, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), TE, and RN concentrations. Suspended particulate matter (SPM) was analyzed for particulate organic carbon (POC), TE and RN concentrations and mineralogical composition. Field Rd and Kd values are in good agreement for stable Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn and for Be. Conversely, measured field Rd for stable Ag, Ba, Sr, Co and Cs are systematically higher than modeled Kd values. Even if only the lowest possible values were obtained for Cs and Co Rd measurements, these estimated limits are higher than calculated Kd for Cs and in good agreement for Co. Finally, only two RN exhibit field Rd lower than calculated Kd: Th and Pb. Comparison of field Rd vs. modeled Kd values for TE and RN allows the identification, for each element, of the main involved adsorption phases and geochemical mechanisms controlling their fate and partitioning in river systems.