Adsorption of europium(III) and americium(III) on kaolinite and montmorillonite in the presence of humic acid

Distribution of trace amount of Eu(III), or Am(III), in the aqueous/solid system containing humic acid and kaolinite, or montmorillonite, was studied by batch experiments. Humic acid was also adsorbed on the clay minerals and its adsorption isotherm can be regarded as a Langmuir type. It is shown that Eu(III), or Am(III), exists as humate complex either in the aqueous or on solid phase in the system including kaolinite, or montmorillonite. These results suggest that the organic-inorganic complex like clay minerals coated with humic substances is important as metal reservoir in the environment.