Distribution coefficients of radionuclides around uranium mining area and effect of different analytical parameters on their determination

Macroscopic batch sorption study has been carried out to measure distribution coefficient (K d) of uranium, thorium and their daughter products, radium and polonium, on soil samples collected from a proposed uranium mining site in India. Results showed high K d values for Th(IV) and Po(IV) (log K d ~4), while lower K d values were obtained for U(VI) with the site ground water as aqueous medium compared to the synthetic water. Ra(II)–K d has been found dependent on soluble Ca(II) content of the water samples. Determination of K d values in an inter-comparison manner involving different estimation methodology produced a consistent data set.