PNNL

Abstract

A total of six core samples from 200-UP/ZP-1 OUs and two additional outcrop samples were characterized during FY2006 by PNNL. One sample (C4971) was identified as slough and not used, but the five other samples identified as intact core samples were used for further analyses. The C4977 sample is gravel-sandy silt and C4990 samples are fine-sandy silt from the Ringold formation. Although the sediments from these two boreholes have similar mineralogical composition, C4990 samples show higher values of Fe oxide content, clay/silt content, and surface area compared those in C4977. The measured Tc Kd values ranged 0–0.2 mg/L for both samples, while U(VI) Kd for C4990 (4.23 mg/L) is much higher than that for C4977 (0.76 mg/L). A key finding from the Kd measurements is that detailed sediment and pore water characterization is necessary to understand the variation in Kd values seen in the empirical batch tests. Without the ancillary characterization of the sediments and pore waters, one might form misleading interpretations of the mechanisms that control the Kd values. Thus, physical, geochemical, and hydrological characterization of the sediments and pore waters should be conducted to increase our understanding of the site-specific Kd measurements. More details for methods and results will be provided in the formal technical report in FY 2007.