PNNL

Abstract

The sorption of divalent strontium, Sr2+, and divalent lead, Pb2+, on zeolitized tuffs from the Nevada Test Site (NTS) was investigated using macroscopic batch sorption experiments and x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) as a function of geochemical parameters, including pH, ionic strength, and type of background electrolyte. The sorption of Sr2+ is dependent on the ionic strength of the medium and independent of pH, suggesting that Sr2+ sorption is controlled by ion exchange at permanent charge sites. At higher ionic strengths, background electrolyte cations compete effectively with Sr2+ for cation exchange sites and Sr2+ sorption is suppressed. At the two lower ionic strengths (0.01 and 0.1 M), Pb2+ sorption is also consistent with adsorption by cation exchange. At the highest ionic strength (1.0 M), however, exclusion of Pb2+ from cation exchange sites resulted in pH dependent adsorption, consistent with sorption on amphoteric surface hydroxyl sites or formation of surface precipitates. XAS was used to test these hypotheses. Based on XAS data, Sr2+ formed hydrated surface complexes coordinated with approximately eight oxygen atoms at an average distance of 2.60 (±0.02) Å, regardless of conditions, consistent with the formation of mononuclear, outer-sphere surface complexes at the Ca2 site in the B channel of clinoptilolite. The coordination environment of sorbed Pb2+ was more complex and a function of pH and ionic strength. The first shell consisted of two to three oxygen atoms at an average distance of 2.20 (±0.02) Å. At low pH and ionic strength, XAS data were consistent with Pb2+ adsorption at the Na1 and Ca2 cation exchange sites in channels A and B of clinoptilolite, respectively. At the highest ionic strength (1.0 M) and low pH, XAS provides evidence for formation of Pb2+ monodentate, corner-sharing inner-sphere complexes, while at higher pH, XAS analysis is consistent with formation of edge-sharing bidentate inner-sphere complexes. As surface coverage increased, appearance of a second Pb2+ peak suggests the formation of polynuclear, inner-sphere surface complexes. These results have significant implications for the transport of radionuclides and other contaminants at the NTS and other nuclear test sites and the modeling of these processes.