Adsorption Studies of Radionuclides by Turkish Minerals: A Review

Abstract

Hazardous radionuclides are produced during normal operation of nuclear power plants and research facilities. They can also spread to the environment due to fallout from nuclear accidents and nuclear weapon tests. The removal of hazardous radionuclides and the safe management of radioactive waste are of vital necessity. Natural minerals have been widely used for the removal of heavy metals and radionuclides because of their low cost, high capacity and radiation resistance properties. Turkey has an abundant natural mineral deposits. These deposits include clinoptilolite, bentonite, montmorillonite, kaolinite, vermiculite, illite, red clay, sepiolite, diatomite, perlite and volcanic tuff. Within the scope of this review, Turkish minerals were classified as three main groups as; zeolites, clay minerals and other minerals. The review consists of sections on the general properties of natural minerals such as zeolites and clays, the characteristics of Turkish minerals, and the adsorption performance of these minerals against some radionuclide ions (Sr, Cs, U, Th and Po).