Speciation simulation and sorption mechanism of 238Pu in radioactive waste repository lithosphere

Abstract

Abstract The assessment of the migratory and environmental behavior of radioactive nuclides escaping from waste treatment facilities heavily relies on the use of numerical models capable of simulating and characterizing all significant processes of nuclides in complex geological environments. Adsorption models typically encompass the chemical properties of the nuclides themselves and their chemical reactions with the surrounding environment, as well as processes such as ion exchange or physical adsorption. These processes must be taken into consideration in the long-term safety assessment of radioactive waste repositories. The redox-sensitive nuclide 238Pu, a critical member among transuranic elements, exhibits a diverse range of aqueous forms, and concurrently, it possesses high toxicity. The chemical behavior of 238Pu shows strong spatial variability with changes in environmental conditions. In this study, we constructed a theoretical model for the migration of nuclides in soil and groundwater environments through indoor static batch experiments and hydrogeochemical simulations. Experimental methods were employed to dissect the micro-scale, irreversible adsorption reaction processes of nuclides and identify their primary existing forms. According to field measurements, the pH of groundwater was recorded as 7.48, with an Eh of 125.7 mV. Introducing a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:10 g/mL in centrifuge tubes, we measured the radioactive nuclide concentration after achieving adsorption and desorption equilibrium, obtaining adsorption and desorption isotherms. The PHREEQC software was employed to investigate the changes in 238Pu forms under varying conditions of pH and redox potential. Field measurements provided groundwater pH and Eh values. The activity concentration of the nuclide was measured after reaching adsorption and desorption equilibrium. The results show that the adsorption isotherms of 238Pu differ from its desorption isotherms, indicating an irreversible adsorption-desorption process. Ion exchange and surface complexation were identified as the main modes of adsorption. PHREEQC simulations revealed that 238Pu primarily existed in forms such as tetravalent Pu(OH)4 and trivalent Pu(SO4)2 −, PuSO4 +. Pu(OH)4 accounted for the largest proportion (97%) in the groundwater solution system, while a minimal amount of pentavalent PuO2 + was present. Environmental factors, such as pH and the presence of ions like SO4 2− and HCO3 −, influenced the forms of 238Pu.