Investigation of the migration of 237Np in loess by direct gamma-ray method

The migration of 237Np in an undisturbed Chinese loess column was investigated by direct γ-ray method. The column was taken from a field test site and installed in a laboratory simulation hall. Radionuclide 237Np in the form of neptunium nitrate, mixed with quartz, was introduced into the column and covered with loess. Artificial rainfall was applied to the column for about 3 years and, the counting rates of 237Np in the column from 56 to 616 days at different vertical positions were detected with a γ-ray detection system. Based on the counting rates of 237Np in the simulation column at different vertical positions and the distance from the source layer, the relationship of the mass center of 237Np in the column at different experimental periods to the experimental time was established, C m = 0.36 log(t)-2.75. Here C m is the mass center of 237Np in the column, cm, and t is the experimental time in days. Based on this relationship, the mass center of 237Np for the 1,073-day experiment was predicted and compared to that obtained with the final destructive method. The good agreement between the prediction and the experimental values indicates that the direct γ-ray method could be used to predict the migration of strongly adsorbed radionuclides such as 237Np in environmental media with the help of laboratory simulation columns.