Diffusion of Colloids and Other Waste Species in Brine–Saturated Backfill Materials

The diffusion of plutonium (IV) and pertechnetate and the migration of colloidal gold in brine-saturated bentonite was measured. High ionic strength brine characterizes potentially intruding groundwater for radioactive waste repositories in salt. Plastic diffusion cells containing cylindrical diffusion columns were used for low density bentonite. Metal diffusion cells constructed entirely from Hastelloy C-276 were used for the diffusion of pertechnetate in highly compacted bentonite. Apparent distribution coefficients calculated from plutonium diffusion in two columns of low density bentonite are 2 m3/kg and 3 m3/kg. These values are in good agreement with the value of 3m3/kg that was calculated from previous batch sorption data. Pertechnetate anions migrated out of a brine-saturated high density bentonite diffusion column at rates that are too large to be rationalized with a simple diffusion theory. Additional measurements that take into account possible channeling of pertechnetate are required. Colloidal gold was excluded from low density brine-saturated bentonite, but colloidal gold may have channeled between the bentonite and the wall of the diffusion cell. These results support the effectiveness of brine-saturated bentonite as an engineered barrier to plutonium. The results also highlight the need for additional measurements of pertechnetate and gold transport in bentonite. Needs for transport measurements that take into account site-specific materials interactions are also described.