Understanding Sorption Behavior and Properties of Radionuclides in the Environment

Abstract

Prediction of fate and behavior of radionuclides in the environment is largely governed by sorption processes. Radionuclides physico-chemical species interacting with prevailing abiotic properties of the environment vary widely among varying constituting environmental components. Herein, this work discussed the most significant aspects of sorption processes and properties at the solid-water interface. Main sorption mechanisms were investigated using kinetic, thermodynamic analyses, and various mathematical models in current use for description of sorption-desorption processes in the environment. Knowledge of environmental transport, environmental pathways, and exposure pathways to radionuclides is also an important aspect of any strategy to protect the public and the natural ecosystems. In the final analysis, the choice of a functional sorption equation model will be dictated by the risk-based under consideration, the level of information available, and the intrinsic accuracy of the predictive model.

Nonlinear relative stability analysis of some Nigerian geological formations as radioactive wastes repository

“…The examined soil properties include; porosity, conductivity and bulk density. In addition, [9] studied the influence of hydrologic paramters such as dispersity and volumetric water content on the dynamics of soil-radionuclide systems, and [10] analysed the roles of radionuclide properties such as half-life, radioactive decay constant and adsorption coefficient.…”

Assessment of radionuclide distribution and associated radiological hazards of soils in Mayo-Belwa, Adamawa state

“…Human health is at risk as a result of radioactive accumulation of radionuclide contaminants in terrestrial marine and marine settings. The bioavailability, uptake and transfer of these radionuclides in soils and various food chains are regulated by environmental factors including soil potential for redox clay-sized soil fraction, degree of weathering, number of contaminants, organic matter content, pH, temperature fluxes and precipitation [18,19]. The physical and chemical properties of the ecosystem control these processes.…”

“…The physical and chemical properties of the ecosystem control these processes. However, the process by which radionuclides enter biological systems is comparable to how same systems absorb nutrients from food, water and soil [19]. Due to their elevated mobility and high solubility, radionuclides constitute an exposure concern when they are present in sediments [3,4,20,21].…”