Abstract---During electrochemical remediation of radionuclide, 235U, 238U, and 99Tc-contaminated aqueous solutions, pyroaurite-like phases, ideally [M(II)M(III)(OH)16CO3.4H20 ] where M = Fe, were synthesized following coprecipitation with iron from metal iron electrodes. The effect of radionuclides on the transformation of amorphous precipitates to crystalline pyroaurite-like phases was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The synthetic iron carbonate hydroxide phases showed primary XRD peaks at 0.7 and 0.35 nm and FTIR spectra that indicated the presence of a brucite-like sheet structure with carbonate anions occupying the interlayer. Divalent and trivalent iron, eroded from the electrode, occupies the octahedral sites of the brucite-like sheets. The carbonate anions in the interlayer balance the excess positive charge from isomorphous substitution of the Fe 2+ or Fe 3+ by reduced uranium (U 4+) and technetium (Tc4+). Because of the lower solubility associated with crystalline phases than amorphous phases, incorporation of radioactive contaminants into pyroaurite-like phases by electrochemical syntheses represents a more effective approach for removing U and Tc from contaminated aqueous solutions than traditional technologies.

No abstract

The feasibility of in situ phosphate- and metal- (calcium, aluminum, and iron) solution treatment for 90Sr immobilization was investigated. Batch and column experiments were performed to find optimum conditions for coprecipitation of 90Sr with Ca-, Al-, and Fe-phosphate compounds in contaminated soils. Separate columns were packed with artificially 85Sr-contaminated acid soil as well as 90Sr-contaminated soil from the Oak Ridge Reservation. After metal-phosphate treatment, the columns were then leached successively with either tapwater or 0.001 M CaCl2 solution. Most of the 85Sr coprecipitated with the metal phosphate compounds. Immobilization of 85Sr and 90Sr was affected by such factors as solution pH, metal and phosphate concentration, metal-to-phosphate ratio, and soil characteristics. Equilibration time after treatments also affected 85Sr immobilization. Many technology aspects still need to be investigated before field applications are feasible, but these experiments indicate that phosphate-based in situ immobilization should prevent groundwater contamination and will be useful as a treatment technology for 90Sr-contaminated sites.