Interactions of 57Co, 85Sr and 137Cs with peat under acidic precipitation conditions

Following the burial of low-level wastes in nuclear waste repositories, the interactions of radionuclides with surrounding soil infiltrated by acid precipitation could cause radionuclide migration and transport into nearby wells. To evaluate this migration through organically rich soil in the unsaturated zone, we measured sorption and desorption distribution ratios (Rd) of 57Co, 85Sr and 137Cs onto peat at pH 4. Peat samples rich in organic C showed relatively higher sorption Rd values for 57Co and 85Sr compared to soil samples with less organic C. The sorption and desorption Rd values for these radionuclides are similar, indicating the reversibility of the sorption process. The measurements suggest the importance of organic complexes for the retention of these radionuclides at the pH range (pH 4), where hydrolysis of the metals is not important and sorption is expected to be low. Cesium-137, on the other hand, appears to be associated more strongly with inorganic components of the soil samples, with its Rd value significantly higher in the peat material containing less organic C. The 137Cs desorption Rd on the same peat sample is also comparable to the sorption Rd indicating equilibrium. Both the organic and inorganic components of peat are thus able to retard the migration of radionuclides which may be found in nuclear waste repositories. The design of such a repository may be improved using a peat barrier to restrict radionuclide migration.