Sorption and diffusion behaviours of strontium in sodium-type bentonite bed

Abstract

Sorption and diffusion of Sr were examined using a typical Japanese bentonite. The experimental results showed that Sr sorption on the bentonite had linear relationship between the equilibrium Sr concentration and Sr sorption amount, i.e., Henry’s type of sorption, in wide initial Sr concentration from 1.1 × 10⁻⁹ to 1.1 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ at pH 10. The Sr sorption also indicated pH dependence in pH range between 2 and 12. Sorption modelling calculation indicated that cation-exchange reactions contributed to Sr sorption in the pH range studied and a surface complexation reaction was predominant above pH 8. Diffusion of Sr in loosely compacted bentonite bed was described by pore and surface diffusion and surface complexation of Sr. Chemical-transport calculations reproduce the diffusion data at pH 5 using the cation-exchange parameters obtained in the analysis of the batch sorption experiment.