Preliminary Characterization of Materials for a Reactive Transport Model Validation Experiment

by M. D. Siegel, Sandia Natl Lab, Albuquerque, United States,
D. B. Ward, Sandia Natl Lab, Albuquerque, United States,
W. C. Cheng, Sandia Natl Lab, Albuquerque, United States,
C. Bryant, Sandia Natl Lab, Albuquerque, United States,
C. S. Chocas, Sandia Natl Lab, Albuquerque, United States,
C. G. Reynolds, Sandia Natl Lab, Albuquerque, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: High Level Radioactive Waste Management 1993

Abstract:

The geochemical properties of a porous sand and several tracers (Ni, Br, and Li) have been characterized for use in a caisson experiment designed to validate sorption models used in models of reactive transport. The surfaces of the sand grains have been examined by a combination of techniques including potentiometric titration, acid leaching, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The surface studies indicate the presence of small amounts of carbonate, kaolinite and iron-oxyhydroxides. Adsorption of nickel, lithium and bromide by the sand was measured using batch techniques. Bromide was not sorbed by the sand. A linear (K_d) or an isotherm sorption model may adequately describe transport of Li; however, a model describing the changes of pH and the concentrations of other solution species as a function of time and position within the caisson and the concomitant effects on Ni sorption may be required for accurate predictions of nickel transport.

Subject Headings: Validation | Model accuracy | Sorption | Sandy soils | Radioactive wastes | Material properties | Hydrologic models

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