The lanthanum precipitation method. Part 1: A new method for technetium(IV) speciation in humic rich natural groundwater

Abstract A new and quick method for direct speciation of Tc(IV) in humic rich solutions, based on the induced aggregation of humic substances in the presence of the trivalent cation La 3+ , is presented. This method (the “La-precipitation method”) allows flocculating all the humic substances and also the Tc(IV) associated with humic substances. The method is tested on solutions containing Tc(IV) and Gorleben humic substances. The influence of different parameters (humic substance concentration, Tc concentration, reaction time and pH) is investigated on the observed free Tc(IV) concentration after precipitation of all humic substances. None of these parameters had a (significant) influence on the observed Tc(IV) concentration in solution after addition of La 3+ to Tc(IV)–HS containing solutions. It is therefore proposed that the method can be used to separate the Tc(IV) bound to humic substances from the free inorganic Tc species in solution.