September 27, 2024
Journal Article

Subsurface transport of plutonium in organic and aqueous acidic processing wastes at the Hanford Site, USA

Abstract

Over 4 million liters of mixed acidic (~pH 2.5), high ionic strength (~5 M nitrate) plutonium (Pu) processing waste were released into the 216-Z-9 (Z-9) trench at the Hanford Site, USA and trace Pu has migrated 37 m below the trench. In this study, we used flowthrough columns to investigate Pu transport in simplified processing waste through uncontaminated Hanford sediments to determine the conditions that led to Pu migration. In low pH aqueous fluids, some Pu breakthrough is observed at pH

Published: September 27, 2024

Citation

Baumer T., M. Zavarin, C.I. Pearce, H.P. Emerson, and A. Kersting. 2024. Subsurface transport of plutonium in organic and aqueous acidic processing wastes at the Hanford Site, USA. Environmental Science & Technology 58, no. 20:8909 - 8918. PNNL-SA-195867. doi:10.1021/acs.est.3c10082

Research topics