PNNL

Abstract

Aquifer core samples collected in three new groundwater wells in the 200-UP-1 operable unit at the Hanford Site were characterized and showed typical Ringold Formation Unit E dominated by gravel and sand. High iron-oxide content in iron (Fe) oxide/clay coatings caused the highest U(VI) adsorption as quantified by Kd values, indicating these hydrous iron oxides are the key solid adsorbent in the 200-UP-1 sediments that affect U(VI) fate and mobility. In batch adsorption tests with varying total U(VI) concentrations in spiked groundwater, a linear isotherm up to 1 ppm of total U(VI) concentration was observed. However, U(VI) adsorption decreased with increasing concentrations of dissolved carbonate, because strong anionic aqueous uranium-carbonate complexes formed at elevated pH and high carbonate conditions. A small amount of uranium desorption hysteresis was observed in a flow-through column experiment, suggesting that desorption Kd values for aged uranium-contaminated sediments at the Hanford Site can be larger than Kd values determined in short-term laboratory experiments and slow uranium release into the groundwater is expected.