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Np(V) behaviour in alkaline, calcite containing systems was studied over a range of neptunium concentrations (1.62 × 10 −3  μM–1.62 μM) in two synthetic, high pH, cement leachates under a CO 2 controlled atmosphere. The cement leachates were representative of conditions expected in an older (pH 10.5, Ca 2+ ) and younger (pH 13.3, Na + , K + , Ca 2+ ) cementitious geological disposal facility. These systems were studied using a combination of batch sorption and solubility experiments, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and geochemical modelling to describe Np behaviour. Np(V) solubility in calcite equilibrated old and young cement leachates (OCL and YCL) was 9.7 and 0.084 μM, respectively. In the OCL system, this was consistent with a Np(V)O 2 OH (am) phase controlling solubility. However, this phase did not explain the very low Np(V) solubility observed in the YCL system. This inconsistency was explored further with a range of pH 13.3 solubility experiments with and variable Ca 2+ (aq) concentrations. These experiments showed that at pH 13.3, Np(V) solubility decreased with increasing Ca 2+ concentration confirming that Ca 2+ was a critical control on Np solubility in the YCL systems. X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy on the precipitate from the 42.2 μM Np(V) experiment confirmed that a Np(V) dioxygenyl species was dominant. This was supported by both geochemical and extended X-ray absorption fine structure data, which suggested a calcium containing Np(V) hydroxide phase was controlling solubility. In YCL systems, sorption of Np(V) to calcite was observed across a range of Np concentrations and solid to solution ratios. A combination of both surface complexation and/or precipitation was likely responsible for the observed Np(V) reaction with calcite in these systems. In the OCL sorption experiments, Np(V) sorption to calcite across a range of Np concentrations was dependent on the solid to solution ratio which is consistent with the formation of a mono-nuclear surface complex. All systems demonstrated slow sorption kinetics, with reaction times of weeks needed to reach apparent equilibrium. This could be explained by slow recrystallisation of the calcite surface and/or the presence of Np(V) colloidal species. Overall, these data provide valuable new insights into Np(V) and actinide(V) behaviour in alkaline conditions of relevance to the disposal of intermediate level radioactive wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The behaviour of U(VI) in hyperalkaline fluid/calcite systems was studied over a range of U(VI) concentrations (5.27 × 10 −5 μM to 42.0 μM) and in two high pH systems, young and old synthetic cement leachate in batch sorption experiments. These systems were selected to be representative of young- (pH 13.3) and old-stage (pH 10.5) leachate evolution within a cementitious geological disposal facility. Batch sorption experiments, modelling, extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, electron microscopy, small angle X-ray scattering and luminescence spectroscopy were used to define the speciation of U(VI) across the systems of study. At the lowest concentrations (5.27 × 10 −5 μM 232 U(VI)) significant U removal was observed for both old and young cement leachates, and this was successfully modelled using a first order kinetic adsorption modelling approach. At higher concentrations (>4.20 μM) in the young cement leachate, U(VI) showed no interaction with the calcite surface over an 18 month period. Small angle X-ray scattering techniques indicated that at high U concentrations (42.0 μM) and after 18 months, the U(VI) was present in a colloidal form which had little interaction with the calcite surface and consisted of both primary and aggregated particles with a radius of 7.6 ± 1.1 and 217 ± 24 Å, respectively. In the old cement leachate, luminescence spectroscopy identified two surface binding sites for U(VI) on calcite: in the system with 0.21 μM U(VI), a liebigite-like Ca 2 UO 2 (CO 3 ) 3 surface complex was identified; at higher U(VI) concentrations (0.42 μM), a second binding site of undetermined coordination was identified. At elevated U(VI) concentrations (>2.10 μM) in old cement leachate, both geochemical data and luminescence spectroscopy suggested that surface mediated precipitation was controlling U(VI) behaviour. A focused ion beam mill was used to create a section across the U(VI) precipitate–calcite interface. Transmission electron microscope images of the section revealed that the calcite surface was coated with a nano crystalline, U containing phase. Selected area electron diffraction images of the U precipitate which was formed at a U(VI) concentration of 4.20 μM were consistent with the formation of calcium uranate. XAS spectroscopy at higher concentrations (⩾21.0 μM) suggested the formation of a second U(VI) phase, possibly a uranyl oxyhydroxide phase. These results indicated that in the young cement leachate, U(VI) did not react with the calcite surface unless U(VI) concentrations were very low (5.27 × 10 −5 μM). At higher concentrations, speciation calculations suggested that U(VI) was significantly oversaturated and experimental observations confirmed it existed in a colloidal form that interacted with the mineral surface only weakly. In the old cement leachate systems at low concentrations batch sorption and luminescence data suggested that U(VI) removal was being driven by a surface complexation mechanism. However, at higher concentrations, spectroscopic methods suggest a combination of both surface complexation and surface mediated precipitation was responsible for the observed removal. Overall, U(VI) behaviour in hyperalkaline calcite systems is distinct from that at circumneutral pH conditions: at high pH and anything but low U(VI) concentrations, a surface mediated precipitation mechanism occurs; this is in contrast to circumneutral pH conditions where U(VI) surface complexation reactions tend to dominate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The behaviour of strontium (Sr2+) during microbial reduction in nitrate impacted sediments was investigated in sediment microcosm experiments relevant to nuclear sites. Although Sr2+ is not expected to be influenced directly by redox state, bioreduction of nitrate caused reduced Sr2+ solubility due to an increase in pH during bioreduction and denitrification. Sr2+ removal was greatest in systems with the highest initial nitrate loading and consequently more alkaline conditions at the end of denitrification. After denitrification, a limited re-release of Sr2+ back into solution occurred coincident with the onset of metal (Mn(IV) and Fe(III)) reduction which caused minor pH changes in all microcosms with the exception of the bicarbonate buffered system with initial nitrate of 100mM and final pH>9. In this system ~95% of Sr2+ remained associated with the sediment throughout the progression of bioreduction. Analysis of this pH 9 system using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and electron microscopy coupled to thermodynamic modelling showed that Sr2+ became partially incorporated within carbonate phases which were formed at higher pH. This is in contrast to all other systems where final pH was <9, here XAS analysis showed that outer sphere Sr2+ sorption predominated. These results provide novel insight into the likely environmental fate of the significant radioactive contaminant, 90Sr, during changes in sediment biogeochemistry induced by bioreduction in nitrate impacted nuclear contaminated environments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]