Interaction of plutonium with iron- and chromium-containing precipitates under the conditions of reservoir bed for liquid radioactive waste

The behavior of Pu under the conditions of liquid radioactive waste (LRW) disposal in a reservoir bed was studied. The pH dependence of the Pu sorption is the same in the cases when the radionuclide is introduced together with the simulated LRW solution or after the precipitate formation. The composition and morphology of Fe,Cr-containing precipitates formed under the conditions simulating the radioactive waste disposal were determined. The solid phase was characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis and by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The phase composition of the precipitates was determined in relation to the presence of acetate ions, Fe concentration in the solution, and storage time and temperature. The main phases formed are ferrihydrite, goethite, hematite, and grimaldiite.