Sorption Properties of Peat for U(VI) and 226Ra in U Mining Areas

Abstract

Understanding the environmental behavior of U and 226Ra is important for remediation of former mining sites and assessment of their durability. The aim of this study is to determine the sorption properties of an acidic peat for U and 226Ra, located near a former U mine. A 90% retention of U over a pH range of 3 to 10 was observed in Na- conditioned peat samples issued from the mesotelm, with a Rd between 1000 and 12000 mL/g. It seems that U sorption in peat is not only governed by organic matter. The Kd for 226Ra adsorption increases with pH from zero to 4849 mL/g. However in this mining environment, the peat bog proved to be significantly impacted by anthropogenic activities, with the presence of detrital components in the peat material that can also contribute to U and Ra sorption.