Evaluation of sorption and diffusion behavior of selenium in crushed granite by through-diffusion column tests

Distribution coefficients (Kd), apparent diffusion coefficients (Da) and retardation factor (Rf) in this work obtained by batch and through-diffusion experiments have been performed, respectively. The accumulative concentration method developed by Crank (The mathematics of diffusion, 12) was applied to realize apparent and effective diffusion coefficient (Da and De) of Se. Besides, a non-reactive radionuclide, HTO, was initially conducted in through-diffusion experiment for assessing the ability of radionuclide retardation. The distribution coefficients (Kd) obtained by batch tests in 14 days under aerobic and anaerobic systems were 6.98 ± 0.35 and 5.21 ± 0.25 mL/g. Moreover, Rfcal and Kdcal of Se obtained from accumulative concentration’s method in through-diffusion test showed an obvious discrepancy with the increase of length/diameter (L/D) ratio. However, it presented an agreement of RfH/Se and KdH/Se in a various L/D ratio by comparison of apparent diffusion coefficient’s (Da) between HTO and Se. It appears that the RfH/Se and KdH/Se obtained from the through-diffusion experiments are lower than those derived from the batch experiments. Therefore, it demonstrates that reliable Rf and Kd of Se by through-diffusion experiments could be achieved at a non-reactive radiotracer (HTO) prior to tests and will be more confident in long-term performance assessment of disposal repository.