Natural Radionuclides in Groundwater From J-13 Well at the Nevada Test Site

by J. C. Laul, Pacific Northwest Lab, United States,
T. C. Maiti, Pacific Northwest Lab, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: High Level Radioactive Waste Management 1990

Abstract:

The concentrations of U-238 and Th-232 chain members are extremely low in J-13 water, suggesting that their concentrations in groundwaters are largely governed by sorption/desorption processes. Relative to radon (gas), uranium, thorium, radium and polonium radionuclides are highly sorbed in a tuffaceous matrix, and the retardation factors range from 10² to 10⁵. Uranium, unlike Th, is in the +6 state and is soluble as carbonate complex (UO₂CO₃), and the aquifer's environment is oxidizing. There is no colloidal effect down to <0.10 ?m.

Subject Headings: Radioactive materials | Groundwater | Uranium | Water resources | Sorption | Wells (water) | Radioactive wastes | Nevada | United States

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