• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.135-143
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• 2004

An experimental study on the sorption of U(VI) onto a Korean granite was performed as a function of the geochemical parameters such as contact time, pH, ionic strength, and carbonate concentration using a batch procedure. The distribution coefficient,$K_d$, was about 1-200 mL/g depending on the experimental conditions. The sorption of U(VI) onto granite particles was greatly dependent upon the contact time, pH, and carbonate concentration, but insignificantly dependent on the ionic strength. It was noticed that the sorption of U(VI) onto granite particles was highly correlated with the uranium speciation in the solution, which was dependent on the pH and carbonate concentrations. It was deduced from the kinetic sorption experiment that a two-step first-order kinetic behavior could dominate the kinetic sorption of U(VI) onto granite particles. In the alkaline range of a pH above 7, U(VI) sorption was greatly decreased and this might be due to the formation of anionic U(VI)-carbonate aqueous complexes as predicted by the speciation calculations.

• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
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• 2010.10a
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• pp.217-218
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• 2010

• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.61-62
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• 2012

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.101-116
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• 2017

The interaction of U(VI) (hexavalent uranium) species with natural organic matter (NOM) in KURT (KAERI Underground Research Tunnel) groundwater is investigated using a laser spectroscopic technique. The luminescence spectra of the NOM are observed in the ultraviolet and blue wavelength regions by irradiating a laser beam at 266 nm in groundwater. The luminescence spectra of U(VI) species in groundwater containing uranium concentrations of $0.034-0.788mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ are measured in the green-colored wavelength region. The luminescence characteristics (peak wavelengths and lifetime) of U(VI) in the groundwater agree well with those of $Ca_2UO_2(CO_3)_3(aq)$ in a standard solution prepared in a laboratory. The luminescence intensities of U(VI) in the groundwater are weaker than those of $Ca_2UO_2(CO_3)_3(aq)$ in the standard solution at the same uranium concentrations. The luminescence intensities of $Ca_2UO_2(CO_3)_3(aq)$ in the standard solution mixed with the groundwater are also weaker than those of $Ca_2UO_2(CO_3)_3(aq)$ in the standard solution at the same uranium concentrations. These results can be ascribed to calcium-U(VI)-carbonate species interacting with NOM and forming non-radiative U(VI) complexes in groundwater.