Effect of different physico-chemical factors on sorption of Pa(V) on iron oxides

The effects of different physico-chemical parameters on sorption of protactinium (Pa) on three different iron oxides (goethite, hematite and magnetite) were studied. The sorption of Pa(V) on all the three iron oxides was low at pH 1, increased to ~ 90% at neutral pH and then decreased slightly above pH 9. Presence of humic acid increases the sorption of Pa(V) on iron oxides in acidic medium whereas sorption is reduced in basic medium. The classical methods like ionic strength, time and temperature dependent sorption studies have been used for the elucidation of the sorption mechanism of Pa(V) on iron oxides. Physisorption in acidic pH and chemisorption in basic pH are the most probable mechanisms. The study demonstrates that classical method alone can be used for the sorption mechanism investigations in the circumstances where it is difficult to have spectroscopic evidences.