Migration characteristics of radionuclides 85+89Sr2+, 134CS+, 125I-, 75SeO32- and 152+154Eu(III) in Chinese soils -: Column investigation

The migration of radionuclides Sr-85+89(2+) Cs-134(+) I-125- and (SeO32-)-Se-75 in calcareous soil from Yuzhong county of Gansu Province (China) at pH 7.8 +/- 0.2 and Eu152+154(III) in red earth from Yingtan county of Jiangxi Province (China) at pH 4.6 +/- 0.2, in presence of CaCl2 was studied using column experiments. Results indicate that the negative anions, iodide and selenide are mobile nuclides while the migration of positive cations is related to the sorption capacity for the element. Iodide can be assumed to be non-reactive in calcareous soil. The breakthrough curves (BTCs) were fitted to the analytical solution or numerical solution of one-dimensional convection-dispersion transport models. Good agreements were obtained between the measured and predicted concentration profiles.